A 13-year-old boy showed extraordinary courage after swimming for nearly four hours to save his family off the coast of Australia, police said. The incident happened near Western Australia during rough sea conditions.
The family, who live in Perth, went kayaking and paddleboarding on Friday morning. Strong winds and choppy waves suddenly pushed them farther out to sea. The conditions quickly became dangerous.
The boy, Austin Appelbee, realized the situation was worsening. His mother, Joanne Appelbee, and his two younger siblings were struggling in the water. Austin decided to swim to shore to get help.
Austin swam nearly four kilometres through cold and rough waters. He had no life jacket during most of the swim. He later said the waves were massive and exhausting. His only focus was to keep moving forward.
“I just kept telling myself to keep swimming,” Austin said. He collapsed on the beach after reaching land. Despite extreme fatigue, he managed to alert authorities around 6 pm.
Austin explained that he first used an inflatable kayak and wore a life jacket. He later abandoned both when the kayak filled with water. He said the jacket slowed his swimming in strong waves.
Police launched a rescue operation soon after. A helicopter located the rest of the family at around 8:30 pm. They were found drifting about 14 kilometres from Quindalup in Australia.
Authorities said the family spent nearly 10 hours in the water. By the time they were rescued, they were suffering from severe cold. Austin’s brother Beau had lost feeling in his legs. All three survivors were shivering badly.
Police Inspector James Bradley praised Austin’s bravery. He said the teenager’s determination saved the lives of his mother and siblings. Officials described his actions as heroic.
Joanne Appelbee said sending her son for help was the hardest decision she ever made. She feared the situation could turn deadly quickly. She said she trusted Austin’s strength and courage.
As night fell, conditions worsened. Waves grew higher and the water became colder. The family tried to stay calm by singing and joking.
“I have three children. All three survived,” Joanne said. “That is all that mattered.”
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The incident has drawn widespread praise across Australia, highlighting the courage of a young boy who refused to give up.
