A fun family outing quickly turned into a nightmare, but thanks to the boy, it had a happy ending.
Austin Appelbee from Perth was enjoying a vacation with his family in Quindalup, Western Australia. On Friday, he went out to sea with his mom Joanne, his 12-year-old brother Beau, and his 8-year-old sister Grace on inflatable kayaks and paddleboards.
However, waves and strong winds started pushing them away from land, so Austin decided to take heroic action and went for help by himself. His mom couldn't leave the two younger kids, so she let him go. She told ABC that it was one of the hardest decisions of her life.
He Saved Himself, His Mom, and Younger Siblings
At first, he paddled on a kayak, but since it was taking on water and he lost the paddle, Austin had to get off and start swimming. He eventually ditched the life jacket as it was getting in the way while swimming.
Over about four hours, he swam four kilometers. Doctors say this effort is equivalent to running two marathons. “I thought about my mom, Beau, and Grace. I also thought about my friends and girlfriend – I really have an amazing squad,” BBC quotes him saying. “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming,” he kept telling himself.
When he finally reached the shore, he couldn’t believe it, thinking it was a dream. He found a phone in his mom's bag on the beach and called for help. He told them that his family had been swept away by the sea and that they needed helicopters and boats for rescue.
A rescue helicopter found them that evening; the mother and two kids were clinging to a paddleboard wearing life jackets, located about 14 kilometers from shore. They spent eight to ten hours in the water and were hypothermic, with swollen feet, blisters, and bruises.
After the call, an ambulance took Austin straight to the hospital, where he met his dad. Now he’s walking with crutches, his legs completely exhausted from the effort, but he's already been back at school.
Austin Is a National Hero
The boy's bravery and incredible feat were publicly praised by Western Australia's Premier Roger Cook. “Austin's courage goes beyond his age. He showed remarkable bravery, resilience, and determination in the face of real danger. Well done, Austin, we are very proud of you,” ABC quotes him saying.
