A 13-year-old Australian boy swims for hours to save his mother and siblings who were swept away

A 13-year-old boy battled rough seas for four hours to save his mother and two younger siblings after their family outing turned into a life-threatening ordeal off Western Australia’s coast.

Austin Appelbee swam approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) to shore after deteriorating ocean conditions swept his family out to sea during what was meant to be a relaxing Friday morning kayaking and paddleboarding excursion near Quindalup.

“The waves are massive and I have no life jacket on. I just kept thinking ‘just keep swimming, just keep swimming,'” Austin recounted on Tuesday. “And then I finally made it to shore and I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed.”

The teenager initially attempted to navigate the rough waters in an inflatable kayak while wearing a life jacket, but was forced to abandon both when the vessel began taking on water and the safety equipment hindered his swimming progress. Despite the treacherous conditions, Austin remained focused on positive thoughts throughout the grueling swim.

What began as a pre-noon family adventure quickly turned dangerous when strong winds and currents began pulling the family farther from shore. By the time Austin reached land and alerted authorities at 6 p.m., his mother Joanne, 47, and siblings Beau, 12, and Grace, 8, had drifted approximately 14 kilometers (9 miles) from their starting point.

A rescue helicopter finally spotted the remaining three family members around 8:30 p.m., after they had spent nearly 10 hours stranded in the water.

Police Inspector James Bradley praised the young boy’s extraordinary efforts. “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,” Bradley stated.

Joanne Appelbee described to reporters the agonizing decision she faced when conditions worsened. “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 Australian Broadcasting Corp.

The mother of three explained that she couldn’t leave all her children alone in the ocean, prompting her to send her oldest son for help. While initially confident in Austin’s ability to reach shore, doubt began to creep in as daylight waned and rescue had not arrived.

“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,” Joanne recalled.

The situation grew increasingly dire as darkness fell. Ocean temperatures off Western Australia’s coast typically range from 18-23°C (64-73°F) depending on the season, cold enough to induce hypothermia after prolonged exposure. By the time rescuers located the family, all three were shivering severely, with 12-year-old Beau having lost sensation in his legs due to the cold.

The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of coastal waters in the region. Western Australia’s coastline stretches over 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) and is known for its sudden weather changes and strong currents that can challenge even experienced water enthusiasts.

Water safety authorities frequently warn visitors and locals alike about the importance of checking conditions before venturing out and always carrying appropriate safety equipment. In this case, the family had life jackets, but the severity of the conditions overwhelmed their preparedness.

For Joanne Appelbee, the harrowing experience ended with profound relief and gratitude. “I have three babies. All three made it. That was all that mattered,” she said.

The Appelbee family’s ordeal serves as a powerful reminder of both the ocean’s dangers and the extraordinary resilience of a young boy who refused to give up when faced with seemingly impossible odds.