A 13-year-old boy from Western Australia has stunned his community after swimming for hours to seek help when his family was swept far out to sea. Austin Appelbee, who had no certainty that his mother Joanne, 47, and siblings Beau, 12, and Grace, 8, were still alive, eventually reached the shore after four grueling hours.
“I didn’t think I was a hero,” Austin told the BBC. “I just did what I had to do.”
The family had been enjoying a day at Quindalup Beach, testing out two paddleboards and a kayak in shallow waters, when the fun quickly turned into a nightmare. According to Joanne, the children had drifted too far from shore when the wind picked up, causing them to lose their oars and the kayak to take on water.
Realizing the danger, Joanne asked Austin to try and get help. He set out in the kayak, which began to capsize multiple times, forcing him to paddle with his arms. After the kayak threw him one last time, Austin clung to it and swam the final 4 kilometers (roughly two nautical miles) to shore, even discarding his lifejacket when it became a hindrance.
“I was thinking about my family the whole time,” he said. “I prayed, sang songs in my head, and tried to stay positive. I couldn’t give up.”
By the time he reached the shore around 6:00 pm local time, Austin was exhausted and passed out after calling emergency services. Within minutes, authorities confirmed that his mother and siblings had been found, having drifted 14 kilometers (8.5 miles) offshore but thankfully remaining in life jackets.
“It was an absolute nightmare,” Joanne recalled. “We couldn’t see any rescue coming, and I feared the worst. When the boat finally arrived, I just prayed my children were safe. I had assumed Austin hadn’t made it.”
Emergency responders treated the family for minor injuries. Austin, whose legs were sore from the ordeal, has even returned to school on crutches. Despite the public acclaim, he remains humble about his role in saving his family.
“The ambulance crew and emergency responders did an amazing job,” he said. “I’m just glad everyone is safe.”
Authorities and local rescue teams, however, have not held back their praise. Paul Bresland, commander of the Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue Group, called Austin’s feat “superhuman,” while Insp James Bradley described the teenager’s courage and determination as life-saving.
For Austin, the experience is still sinking in. “It was a tough battle,” he said, “but the most important thing is that we’re all together and okay.”
