A 13-year-old boy is being hailed for rescuing his mother and two younger siblings by swimming for hours after they were swept out to sea off the coast of Australia. Austin Appelbee swam approximately four kilometers to shore to seek help after encountering difficulties with his family on Friday, including his mother, Joanne Appelbee (47), brother Beau (12), and sister Grace (8), according to authorities.
Initially, Austin attempted to seek assistance on an inflatable kayak that was taking on water. However, he later abandoned the kayak and removed his life jacket to improve his swimming ability. Battling rough seas, he swam for around four hours, maintaining a positive mindset, until he reached shore and raised the alarm at 6 p.m.
The family, who were on vacation from Perth, the state capital, were using kayaks and paddle boards rented from their hotel when they were caught in rough ocean and wind conditions, drifting away from Quindalup in Western Australia state. A search helicopter located the mother and two children clinging to a paddleboard at 8:30 p.m., about 14 kilometers from their starting point, after spending up to 10 hours in the water.
Insp. James Bradley praised the boy’s determination, stating that Austin’s courage ultimately saved his mother and siblings. Joanne Appelbee expressed the difficulty of sending her eldest child for help while she stayed with the other children, adding that it was a challenging decision to make but necessary given the circumstances.
Despite facing chilling waters and physical discomfort, the family remained positive, singing and joking to keep spirits high until they were rescued. All four family members were evaluated medically but did not require hospitalization. The incident highlighted the bravery and quick thinking of Austin, whose actions were crucial in ensuring the safety of his family.