A 13-year-old Australian boy has recounted his harrowing four-hour swim through treacherous waters to save his family after they were swept out to sea in a dramatic incident off the coast of Western Australia.
Gruelling Ordeal in Rough Seas
Austin Appelbee was with his mother, brother, and sister on an inflatable kayak and paddleboards when strong winds caused them to get into difficulties on Friday. Desperate for help, his mother, Joanne Appelbee, 47, asked Austin to swim approximately 4km (2.5 miles) to shore to raise the alarm.
Austin described battling massive waves during his swim, telling local broadcaster ABC that he focused on happy thoughts to keep going. "I was very puffed out but I couldn't feel how tired I was," he said. "I think at one point I was thinking of Thomas the Tank Engine, trying to get the happiest things in my head... not the bad things that'll distract me."
Family's Struggle for Survival
The family, from Perth, found themselves stranded with only life jackets and no means of communication. They had to wait 10 hours before rescuers reached them, which included Austin's 12-year-old brother, Beau, and his eight-year-old sister, Grace.
Joanne Appelbee said they tried to stay positive during the ordeal. "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," she recounted. She added that it was the scariest moment ever, with eight and a half hours being particularly terrifying.
Austin's Determination and Aftermath
Austin initially set off on an inflatable kayak that was taking on water, but he abandoned it and removed his life jacket because it impeded his swimming. After reaching shore, he collapsed on the beach and then had to sprint two kilometres to find a phone to call for help.
Police Inspector James Bradley praised 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." A search helicopter found the rest of the family at 8.30pm local time, clinging to a paddleboard and having drifted 14km (9 miles) from Quindalup, where they had entered the water.
Mother's Pride and Relief
Joanne Appelbee expressed immense pride in her son, saying she was "super proud" and grateful for their survival. "To keep going for so long... he's absolutely amazing. Me and his dad are super proud," she said. She described the decision to send Austin for help as one of the hardest she ever had to make, but emphasised that the most important thing was that all three children made it through alive.
Austin survived the ordeal with relatively minor injuries, needing only a crutch to help with sore legs. The incident highlights the dangers of sea activities in rough conditions and the incredible resilience shown by this young hero.
