MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – A remarkable act of bravery unfolded off the coast of Australia when a 13-year-old boy named Austin Appelbee is credited with saving the lives of his mother and two younger siblings after they were swept out to sea. The family, originally from Perth, was on vacation and engaged in water activities using kayaks and paddle boards when adverse ocean conditions suddenly overwhelmed them on Friday.
Austin's ordeal began around noon when rough seas and strong winds started dragging him, his mother Joanne Appelbee, aged 47, his 12-year-old brother Beau, and 8-year-old sister Grace away from the shore. Struggling against the elements, Austin undeterred set off for help after realizing the gravity of their situation. Initially, he attempted to use an inflatable kayak to reach the shore, but due to it taking on water, he was forced to abandon the craft. He subsequently removed his life jacket, believing it hindered his swimming ability.
Swim he did, for approximately four hours through massive waves, focusing on staying positive as he made his way to safety. Austin recalled his thoughts during the intense swim: “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” After what felt like an eternity in the water, he finally reached the beach and collapsed from exhaustion before raising the alarm at around 6 p.m.
The Australian authorities mounted a search operation and, shortly after, a helicopter successfully located Joanne and her two children. The trio was found at around 8:30 p.m., wearing life jackets and clinging to a paddleboard, having drifted about 14 kilometers (9 miles) from Quindalup in Western Australia. They had spent close to 10 hours in the chilly water before being rescued.
Police Inspector James Bradley praised Austin for his courage and determination, 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 sentiment was echoed by Joanne Appelbee, who made the decision to send Austin to get help when she realized the situation was becoming critical. “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,’” she told reporters.
Despite the harrowing experience, Joanne maintained faith in her son’s abilities, although doubt crept in as night fell and help had not yet arrived. The family tried to keep their spirits high by singing and joking together, treating the dire situation almost like a game until it became increasingly perilous as darkness descended and the waves grew larger and choppier.
By the time they were rescued, the family members were shivering from the cold, and Beau had lost sensation in his legs due to the prolonged exposure to the water. Fortunately, all four family members underwent medical assessments but were relieved to find that none needed hospitalization. Expressing gratitude for the outcome, Joanne remarked, “I have three babies. All three made it. That was all that mattered.”
