Amazing bravery of Australian boy who swam for hours to save family

A 13-year-old boy has been described as “superhuman” after he swam against “massive” waves for over four hours to raise the alarm to save his mother and siblings.

Austin Appelbee had been with his mother Joanne, as well as brother Beau and sister Grace at a beach near Perth, in Western Australia, kayaking and paddle-boarding in the shallows when they found themselves swept out to sea, after a sudden change in weather conditions.

The family had no life-jackets, no food or water, and no means of communication, so the young teen made the brave decision to try and make it back to shore some 4km (2.5 miles) away, to get help.

Ten hours after their ordeal began Joanne finally spotted a rescue boat which located the trio some 14km (8.5 miles) offshore, after she had feared the worst for her eldest son.

Naturalist Volunteer Marine Rescue Group’s commander Paul Bresland described the efforts of Austin as “superhuman”, and police inspector James Bradley said his actions “cannot be praised highly enough” adding that his determination and courage “ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings.”

All changed very quickly

The family had been due to head home on that day and were having “bit of fun” with two paddle-boards and a kayak in the calm shallow water, just off the Western Australian beach, at Quindalup.

Joanne explained that the children “went out a bit too far” and at the same time she became aware that the wind picked up suddenly and in no time they drifted further and further out. 

Then she said they lost their oars and it “kind of all went wrong very, very quickly.”

Agonising decision

The 47-year-old mother realised she needed to do something, but also knew she couldn’t leave Beau, 12, and Grace, eight, alone. Agonisingly she made the decision to ask her eldest child, Austin, to battle back to shore in the kayak, believing he had the strength of mind to make it.

However, what neither of them had appreciated was just how badly damaged it had become and it very soon began taking on water. 

No choice really

“It started flipping, and then I lost an oar and I knew I was in trouble,” Austin recalled. He initially paddled with his arm, but in the huge waves he lost his grip, so it then meant he had no choice but to swim.

“I was very puffed out, but I couldn’t feel how tired I was. I don’t know, I was more thinking of a lot of things that, you know, was happening in my life. 

“I think at one point I was thinking of Thomas the Tank Engine, trying to get the happiest things in my head… not the bad things that’ll distract me… at this time the waves are massive and I have no life jacket on. Anyway, I just keep swimming.”

Incredible determination

After a while he abandoned his own life jacket because rather than helping him, he found it was restricting his ability to swim and he realised time was running out for his family. 

Throughout the swim he prayed, sang Christian songs and concentrated on having “happy thoughts” which kept him going. “I was thinking about mum, Beau and Grace as well as my friends and my girlfriend. 

Eventually he felt his feet hit the floor of the beach and thought: “how am I on land right now – is this a dream?”

Alarm raise

After raising the alarm Austin passed out and was taken to hospital.

A search helicopter found Joanne and her two children wearing life jackets and clinging to a paddle-board. 

The three were all shivering and Beau had lost sensation in his legs because of the cold, but essentially they were unhurt.

Heroic effort

Coming round the heroic youngster still didn’t know if his efforts had been in vain, but soon after got the fantastic news that his mother and siblings had been found, alive.

He joined in with the doctors and police officers who were jumping up and down with joy, although he admits he was probably in shock at the time. 

Mother’s pride

Paying tribute to her remarkable son, Joanne said she was “super proud” of Austin, adding: “To keep going for so long… he’s absolutely amazing. 

“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 admitted that she thought to herself: “If he hasn’t made it, what have I done, have I made the wrong decision, and is anyone going to come and save my other two?” 

Her decision did pay off though and she said: “It was an absolute perfect ending to have them all well and happy and sore but no injuries.”