PERTH, Australia — A 13-year-old boy has been hailed a hero after swimming for nearly four hours through rough seas to save his mother and two younger siblings who were swept out to sea off the coast of south-west Western Australia.
The family had been holidaying in Quindalup, about 200 kilometres south of Perth, when strong afternoon winds on Friday pushed their inflatable paddleboards and kayak offshore from Geographe Bay, leaving them stranded in worsening conditions.
According to Australian broadcaster ABC, the teenager, identified as Austin Appelbee, attempted to paddle a kayak back to shore to seek help. However, the kayak began taking on water, forcing him to abandon it and attempt the journey by swimming.
Appelbee told the national broadcaster he swam approximately four kilometres back to shore while wearing a life jacket, battling rough seas and fading light.
“I was fighting rough seas,” he said, recalling the ordeal. “I thought I saw something in the water and I was really scared. I was just thinking in my head that I was going to make it through.”
After about two hours, he removed his life jacket to swim more efficiently, relying on mental focus to keep going.
“I was very puffed out, but I couldn’t feel how tired I was,” he said. “I tried to think of the happiest things in my life to stay positive.”
When he finally reached shore, the ordeal was not over. Appelbee said he collapsed briefly on the beach before running nearly two kilometres to find a phone and call emergency services.
“I called 000 and said, ‘I need helicopters, I need planes, I need boats — my family’s out at sea,’” he said. “I was very calm about it. I think it was just a lot of shock.”
Western Australia Police confirmed they received a distress report at 6 pm on Friday, triggering a large-scale multi-agency search and rescue operation involving WA Water Police, local marine rescue volunteers, and the state’s rescue helicopter.
At around 8.30 pm, the rescue helicopter located the boy’s 47-year-old mother, a 12-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl clinging to a paddleboard roughly 14 kilometres offshore.
A volunteer marine rescue vessel was directed to their location, and all three were successfully rescued and brought to safety.
Paul Bresland, commander of Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue, told the ABC the family had been treading water in rough seas for several hours before being found.
He said Appelbee’s ability to provide a detailed description of the paddleboards and kayak — including their colours — was critical in narrowing the search area.
St John WA paramedics assessed the family at the scene before transporting them to Busselton Health Campus. A spokesperson described the operation as a “remarkable rescue” and praised the teenager’s bravery.
Police Inspector James Bradley also commended all agencies involved, warning that ocean conditions can change rapidly.
“Thankfully, all three people were wearing life jackets, which contributed to their survival,” Bradley said. “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.”
