Australian Teen's Heroic Swim Saves Mother and Siblings from Sea Peril
In a remarkable display of courage and determination, a 13-year-old Australian boy swam for hours through treacherous seas to secure help after his mother and two younger siblings were swept out to sea off the coast of Western Australia. The incident unfolded near Quindalup in Geographe Bay, highlighting the family's harrowing ordeal and the teen's quick thinking in a life-threatening situation.
Family Kayaking Trip Turns Dangerous
Austin Appelbee was enjoying a kayaking and paddleboarding excursion with his family on Friday morning when strong winds began to drag them further offshore. As conditions deteriorated rapidly, his mother, Joanne Appelbee, faced a heart-wrenching decision. She instructed Austin to attempt to reach shore and summon assistance, recognizing the escalating danger.
"One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was to say to Austin: 'Try and get to shore and get some help. This could get really serious really quickly,'" Joanne Appelbee recounted in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. This pivotal moment set the stage for Austin's incredible journey.
Austin's Grueling Swim to Safety
Initially, Austin tried to return using an inflatable kayak while wearing a life jacket. However, when the kayak started taking on water and the life jacket impeded his movement, he made the bold choice to abandon both. He then embarked on a four-kilometer swim through cold and rough sea conditions, battling massive waves without any flotation aid.
"The waves are massive and I have no life jacket on. ... I just kept thinking 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming,'" Austin shared, describing his mental fortitude during the swim. Upon finally reaching shore, he collapsed from exhaustion, having pushed his limits to secure help for his family.
Challenges in Summoning Assistance
Even after his arduous swim, Austin faced obstacles in getting help. He noted that the beach was populated by many foreign visitors, which made communication difficult. "When I got to the phone there were a lot of foreign people on the beach so I couldn't really get much help," he explained. Despite this, he managed to call emergency services around 6 pm, initiating a search operation.
Rescue and Family's Survival
Emergency services, including a helicopter, located Austin's mother, Joanne, his 12-year-old brother Beau, and his eight-year-old sister Grace at approximately 8:30 pm. The trio had drifted about 14 kilometers from shore and spent nearly 10 hours in the water, clinging to a paddleboard for survival.
Joanne described their experience, saying, "We kept positive, we were singing and we were joking and ... we were treating it as a bit of a game until the sun started to go down and that's when it was getting very choppy. Very big waves." By the time of their rescue, all three were shivering, with Beau experiencing numbness in his legs due to the cold.
"I have three babies. All three made it. That was all that mattered," Joanne expressed, relieved at their safe recovery.
Praise for Austin's Courage
Police Inspector James Bradley commended Austin's actions, stating, "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 recognition underscores the teen's heroic efforts in the face of adversity.
The family was transported to Busselton Health Campus for medical evaluations and was later discharged, marking the end of their terrifying ordeal. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of water safety and the incredible resilience of the human spirit in emergency situations.
