Deborah Richardson

And so we start running up and down the corridor trying to evacuate people and then eventually get outside into Mackenzie Street.

About another 200 or 300 coppers standing around, some with blood on them, some with torn shirts, most with a look of horror and shock on our faces.

and absolutely having no clue what to do.

We just did not know in that moment what to do.

What happened next?

We had the special operations group who were rightly nicknamed the sons of God.

And they were living in a building called the IOOF building opposite Russell Street.

And within a matter, I don't know what the timeframe was, moments, minutes, I'm not sure.

But to see them come down the stairs in formation in their black overalls and all of a sudden take control of the scene, I've never been so grateful in all my life.

It was like, okay, someone's got control.

And all of a sudden they were telling us what to do and where to go.

So I was asked to block off an intersection, which was a block away from where I'd been.

And at that stage had no clue I'd been injured, still had adrenaline pumping through my body.

And I'm like, okay, I've got a job.

That's what I need to do is stand here and direct traffic and don't let anyone through.

So it was many hours later until I couldn't stand up anymore.

And an inspector drove past and he goes, what the bloody hell are you doing, policewoman?

I said, I was their boss.

And he goes, Jesus,

Christ, like get in the car.