An Australian teenage boy who swam for four hours across a rough sea only a day after shark sightings to save his family says that God helped him.
Austin Appelbee, 13, saved the lives of mom Joanne, 47, his brother Beau, 12, and sister Grace, 8, after strong winds pulled their paddleboards and kayaks 14 kilometers out to sea on Friday, Jan. 30. It happened off the coast of Quindalup, in Geographe Bay, 250 kilometers south of Perth.
Joanne realised that all of them could die and asked Austin to swim for help. At first he used his kayak but had to abandon it as the waves pulled him back and then took his lifejacket off to be without hindrance on his four kilometer swim to shore where he ran a further two kilometers to reach a hotel and phone for help.
“I was… thinking about like all my friends at school and friends at my Christian youth,” Austin told 7NEWS Australia, explaining how adopting a positive mindset to “keep on swimming” helped his determination at the time. His girlfriend’s hair tie given to him also helped.
“I just said, ‘All right, not today. Not today. Not today. I have to keep on going.’”
The boy adopted different swimming styles to keep up his momentum — breaststroke, freestyle, and survival backstroke.
“There was a lot of foreign people on the beach, so I couldn't really get much help. And so, I ran to the phone and I called Triple 0 [phone number for emergency services].
“‘Police,’ I said, ‘I need helicopters. I need planes. I need boats. My family's out at sea.’”
Austin also said that he didn’t “think it was actually me” in charge of the successful rescue bid.
“It was God the whole time. I kept on praying. I kept on praying. And I said to God, ‘I'll get baptized. I'll get baptized and all that. And I went to church on Sunday.’"
ABE Perth reported that Austin ironically had previously failed Vac Swim, a state program for children to learn survival skills in water.
Western Australia Police Force received a report at 6pm saying the family had been swept out to sea. Police confirmed that Austin “who was a family member and had been with the group, alerted authorities after he decided to return to shore in fading light and rough conditions.”
“He paddled a short distance before his kayak took on water and swam approximately four kilometres (about two nautical miles) before reaching land,” confirmed a police update.
A multi-agency search and rescue response was initiated and coordinated by the Water Police Coordination Centre in North Fremantle, under the oversight of the South West District Office.
The rest of the family were located by a rescue helicopter at 8.30pm still clinging to a paddleboard.
A volunteer marine rescue vessel was directed to their location and all three were successfully rescued and returned to shore.
Inspector James Bradley, South West District Office, paid tribute to Austin’s brave actions.
“WA Police thank all emergency first responders and volunteers for their swift response, teamwork, and professionalism, which led to a successful outcome,” said Bradley.
“This incident is a reminder that ocean conditions can change rapidly. Thankfully, all three people were wearing lifejackets, which contributed to their survival.
“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.”
