A 13-year-old boy is being hailed for his heroic act of rescuing his mother and two younger siblings by swimming for hours after they were swept out to sea off the coast of Australia.
Austin Appelbee managed to swim four kilometers to shore to seek help after encountering difficulties with his mother, Joanne Appelbee, 47, brother Beau, 12, and sister Grace, 8, according to the police.
Initially, Austin attempted to seek help on an inflatable kayak that was taking on water. However, he had to abandon the kayak and remove his life jacket as it hindered his swimming ability.
Despite the challenging conditions with rough seas, Austin maintained a positive mindset and swam for approximately four hours before reaching shore and alerting authorities at 6 p.m.
The Appelbee family, who were on vacation from Perth, had rented kayaks and paddleboards from their hotel when they were swept out by strong ocean currents and winds.
A search helicopter located the mother and two children wearing life jackets and clinging to a paddleboard at 8:30 p.m., after drifting 14 kilometers from Quindalup in Western Australia state. They had spent up to 10 hours in the water.
Inspector James Bradley praised the bravery and determination of the 13-year-old boy, emphasizing that his actions ultimately saved the lives of his family members.
Joanne Appelbee expressed her difficulty in sending her eldest child for help while she stayed with the other children, describing it as one of the toughest decisions she ever had to make.
Despite moments of uncertainty as darkness fell and help was yet to arrive, the family remained positive, singing and joking to keep spirits high until their rescue.
Upon being rescued, all three children were shivering, with Beau experiencing loss of sensation in his legs due to the cold. Nevertheless, they were all safe, and no family member required hospitalization.
The heartwarming story of Austin’s courage and selflessness serves as a reminder of the power of determination and family bond in the face of adversity.