Teen swims for four hours to rescue family stranded at sea off Australia
A 13-year-old boy in Western Australia swam for four hours through rough seas to get help for his family, a feat rescuers called “superhuman.” Austin Appelbee covered roughly 2.5 miles of ocean after his mother and two younger siblings were swept out to sea while kayaking and paddle-boarding on Friday afternoon.
The teen told reporters he was terrified but focused on surviving and reaching shore. He initially swam with a life jacket but later removed it to move more freely. To keep his spirits up, he thought of friends and even sang the “Thomas the Tank Engine” theme song while battling massive waves using a mix of breaststroke, freestyle, and backstroke.
Upon reaching the beach, Austin called emergency services and reported that his family was stranded at sea. Marine rescue volunteer Paul Bresland said the boy’s efforts saved his family, who were found clinging to a paddleboard off Quindalup. Bresland described Austin’s swim as “incredible” and “superhuman,” noting he swam the first two hours with a life jacket and the final two hours without.
Police inspector James Bradley praised Austin’s courage and determination, saying his actions ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings. His mother, Joanne, also received commendation for keeping the family alive during the ordeal. She said one of the hardest decisions was telling Austin to swim to shore for help, fearing he might not make it as the sun went down.
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