Teenage Boy's Heroic 4km Swim Saves Family from Perilous Sea Conditions
In a harrowing incident off the coast of Western Australia, a 13-year-old boy undertook a gruelling four-hour swim to shore to save his family after they were swept out to sea. The dramatic rescue, captured in aerial footage, highlights the bravery and quick thinking of the teenager, Austin Appelbee, whose actions have been praised by authorities.
A Mother's Agonising Decision
Joanne Appelbee, the mother of the family, described asking her son Austin to swim for help as "one of the hardest decisions" she has ever made. Speaking to the ABC, she explained, "I knew he was the strongest and he could do it. I would have never went because I wouldn't have left the kids at sea, so I had to send somebody." The family were on holiday in Quindalup, approximately 200km south of Perth, when strong winds pushed their inflatable paddleboards and kayak offshore from Geographe Bay on a Friday afternoon.
Rapid Escalation of the Crisis
What began as "a bit of fun" in shallow water quickly turned dangerous as the wind picked up, causing the family to drift further out. Joanne recounted to the BBC how they lost oars and the situation deteriorated rapidly. "It kind of all went wrong very, very quickly," she said. Early on, they decided to send Austin back to shore to seek assistance, believing they were not far from land. However, as he swam, Joanne and her other children, Beau, 12, and Grace, 8, continued to drift, soon losing sight of him.
Austin's Determined Swim to Safety
As the sun set and waves grew larger, Joanne and the children struggled to hold onto the boards while wearing life jackets. She began to doubt her decision, thinking, "If he hasn't made it, what have I done? Have I made the wrong decision, and is anyone going to come and save my other two?" Meanwhile, Austin swam 4km to reach the shore, driven by thoughts of his family. "I was thinking about Mum, Beau and Grace ... When I hit the floor I thought, how am I on land right now, is this a dream?" he said. Upon reaching land, he sprinted 2km to find a phone and call emergency services at around 6pm local time.
The Rescue and Emotional Reunion
Austin's calm call for help prompted a swift response from emergency services. After making the call, he passed out from exhaustion and was taken to hospital, where he contacted his father. Out at sea, Joanne feared the worst, assuming Austin had not made it. "We couldn't see anything coming to save us. It was very much getting to that point where we are on our own," she recalled. The search party eventually found the family clinging to a paddleboard about 14km offshore, with Joanne desperately trying to reach her children after a large wave flipped them off the board.
Minutes after Austin called his father, he received the news that his family had been rescued. He described doctors and police officers jumping with joy, calling it "a moment I will never forget." Joanne only relaxed when an ambulance worker confirmed Austin's survival. The family were treated for minor injuries, with Joanne noting, "It was an absolute perfect ending to have them all well and happy and sore but no injuries."
Aftermath and Praise for Bravery
Austin, who is still processing the ordeal, has returned to school on crutches due to sore legs. He praised the emergency services for their "really quick response" and the "lovely ambulance crew," modestly stating, "I didn't think I was a hero, I just did what I did." He mentioned that he started swimming lessons at age four and participated in VacSwim, though he previously found swimming 350 metres without a break "quite tiring."
Police inspector James Bradley commended Austin's actions, saying, "The actions of the 13-year-old boy cannot be praised highly enough. His determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings." This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly ocean conditions can change, underscoring the importance of water safety and preparedness.
