May 6th 2024.
A survivor of the tragic stabbing at Bondi Junction Westfield bravely shared her harrowing experience, recalling how the smiling face of her doctor gave her the strength to push through. Liya Barko, who was critically injured in the rampage that claimed the lives of six people, was finally released from the hospital just a week ago. Since the fateful day of April 13, the 35-year-old has been on an emotional rollercoaster, reliving the horrors of the attack while also feeling grateful for being alive.
Barko vividly remembers waking up in the hospital and feeling a sense of euphoria when she saw her doctor's cheerful expression. "I just remember his open smile and happy face," she shared. "I have never seen someone so genuinely happy before." On the morning of the attack, Barko had attended her first volleyball class and then went to buy a ball to practice. Little did she know that she would cross paths with a killer.
"The man looked at me and then suddenly decided to attack," Barko recalled. "I looked at my hand and saw it was bleeding." She had been stabbed in the ribs and a kind stranger immediately rushed to her aid. With his help, she was able to find shelter in a nearby store, where he closed the door behind them. Barko was overwhelmed by the expressions of fear and panic on the faces of other shoppers who had witnessed the attack. "I could see the fear and tears in their eyes," she said.
The man in the green shirt, who came to her rescue, used his quick thinking to stop the bleeding and likely saved Barko's life. She was immediately taken to intensive care, where she spent the next 10 days fighting for her life. Despite the uncertainty, the memory of her doctor's smile gave her hope. "I thought to myself, I can't die now and ruin his shift. He was just so happy," Barko shared with a smile.
As she continues to recover, Barko is left with one burning question: "How did this happen? Why was a schizophrenic man allowed to roam freely with a knife on a normal Saturday afternoon, turning it into a living nightmare?" The 35-year-old had moved to Sydney 18 months ago to pursue her studies, after growing up in Ukraine and then living in Argentina. However, the attack has put her studies and work as a cleaner on hold. In response, her loved ones have started a crowdfunding page on GoFundMe to help support Barko's recovery.
Despite the physical and emotional trauma she has endured, Barko remains grateful for the small moments of kindness and positivity that have helped her through this difficult time. She continues to hold on to the hope for a better tomorrow and is determined to find answers to her questions. "I just want to understand how this could have happened and make sure it never happens again," she said. With the support of her loved ones and the resilience of her spirit, Barko is on the road to recovery, one step at a time.
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