13-Year-Old Boy's Heroic Swim Saves Family from Drowning in Australia

Wed Feb 04 2026 03:19:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In an extraordinary tale of bravery, 13-year-old Austin Appelbee swam against towering waves for hours to secure rescue for his family, who were stranded at sea. This gripping story showcases not only the courage of a young boy but also highlights the importance of safety in ocean activities.

Austin Appelbee, a 13-year-old boy from Australia, embarked on a courageous journey to save his family after they became stranded at sea in Geographe Bay. Despite the challenges posed by worsening weather and ocean conditions, Austin's determination led him to swim for four hours, culminating in a successful call for help. His mother, Joanne, and siblings, Beau and Grace, faced harrowing moments while waiting on paddleboards, unsure of their fate. This incident serves as both a heartwarming story of survival and a reminder of the potential dangers of water sports.

The 13-year-old Australian boy who swam for hours to get help for his family after they were swept out to sea has told the BBC, I didn't think I was a hero - I just did what I did.

Austin Appelbee didn't know if his mother Joanne, brother Beau, and sister Grace were still alive when he finally reached the shore, four hours after he left them clinging to two paddleboards. Miles out to sea off Australia's west coast, the waves were getting bigger, and light was beginning to fade.

Hours later, after Joanne finally spotted the rescue boat in the distance, she learned Austin was safe. By that time, she and the children had drifted 14km (8.5 miles) offshore.

I had assumed Austin hadn't made it, Joanne, 47, told the BBC News channel. However, it was an absolute perfect ending to have them all well and happy and sore but no injuries.

The family had been due to head home to Perth last Friday and were enjoying themselves on paddleboards and a kayak in the shallow waters when the children drifted out too far. Joanne explained, The wind picked up and it went from there... we lost oars, and we drifted out further.... It all went wrong very, very quickly.

As they drifted further from Quindalup beach, Joanne realized she needed to do something, but she couldn't leave Beau and Grace alone. Early on, we sent this young man back in to try and get help because it didn't look like we were that far from the shoreline, she said.

Austin took the kayak, but no one realized it was damaged and taking on water. He began to struggle, recalling, It started flipping, and then I lost an oar and I knew I was in trouble. I started paddling with my arm.

During the harrowing journey, he abandoned the kayak and swam the last 4km (2 nautical miles), driven by thoughts of his family, friends, and faith. I was really scared, he admitted.

Finally reaching his mother's bag, he called for help, triggering a massive rescue operation. After passing out from exhaustion, he learned minutes later that his family was safe. It was a moment I will never forget, said Austin.

Although he received high praise for his bravery, Austin remains humble, stating it was a tough battle and crediting the quick response from emergency services.

The ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of water activities, emphasizing the need for safety precautions while enjoying the ocean.