Brave 13-Year-Old Swims for Hours in Desperate Bid to Save His Family

What began as a carefree beach day ended in a mother's worst nightmare — and her young son's fight for their lives.

When a family day in the sun turned into a 10-hour marathon of terror, it was 13-year-old Austin Appelbee who rose to the occasion — risking everything to save his family from certain doom.

The Australian teen didn't consider himself a hero. In his words, it was simply something that had to be done. But what he accomplished has left seasoned rescuers stunned and the entire nation applauding a young man with the heart of a lion.

Family Day Turns Into Open-Sea Ordeal

It was meant to be a final hurrah before heading home to Perth. On Friday, 30 January, Austin and his family were enjoying paddleboats and a kayak in the shallows off Quindalup beach on Australia's west coast.

But by afternoon, disaster had struck.

"The wind picked up and it went from there," said Joanne, Austin's 47-year-old mother. "We lost oars, and we drifted out further... It kind of all went wrong very, very quickly."

As panic set in, Joanne knew she couldn't leave her two younger children — Beau, 12, and Grace, just 8 — stranded and helpless. The trio clung to two paddleboats as they were dragged mile after mile away from the shoreline.

A Child's Choice: Risk the Waves or Let Family Perish

In a desperate bid to get help, young Austin set out in the kayak — unaware it was already damaged and taking on water. "It started flipping, and then I lost an oar and I knew I was in trouble," he later recalled. "I started paddling with my arm."

Battling the tide, exhaustion, and his own fear, Austin clung to the capsized kayak until a chilling realisation hit him — "It was getting dangerous now. I had been out for a couple of hours."

He couldn't see his family anymore. They couldn't see him either.

'What Have I Done?': Mother's Despair as Hours Drag On

Back at sea, Joanne was losing hope. With no food, no water, and worsening visibility, their situation became more grim with every passing hour.

"I had assumed Austin had made it a lot quicker than he had," she said. But as the sun dipped and no help appeared, dread took over.

"If he hasn't made it, what have I done? Have I made the wrong decision?" she recalled thinking to herself. "Is anyone going to come and save my other two?"

Still wearing life jackets but numb from cold, Joanne clung to Beau and Grace as darkness fell. "We couldn't see anything coming to save us," she said. "It was very much getting to that point where we are on our own."

Four Hours in the Ocean. Two Kilometres on Land. One Mission: Save Them All

Meanwhile, Austin was swimming for his life — and for theirs.

He had abandoned his lifejacket, which had become a hindrance, and began the brutal last leg: a four-kilometre swim through shark-infested waters, followed by a two-kilometre run to find help.

"I was thinking about mum, Beau, and Grace. I was also thinking about my friends and my girlfriend," he told the BBC. "When I hit the floor, I thought, how am I on land right now — is this a dream?"

But his ordeal wasn't over. He remembered something chilling: "My family could still be alive out there — I have to go save them."

'It Was a Nightmare': Mother Battles Waves to Save Her Drowning Children

Joanne's own fight was reaching a breaking point. The children, shivering and slipping into the water, had to be pulled back again and again.

"It was an absolute nightmare," she said. Even when the rescue boat came into view, she couldn't relax — not until all three of them were on board.

By then, they had drifted a shocking 8.5 miles (14 kilometres) offshore.

Austin Collapses After Calling for Help

At around 6 p.m. local time, Austin found his mother's bag on the beach and managed to call emergency services. After placing the call, the teen collapsed — completely spent — and was rushed to hospital.

He was still unconscious when rescuers reached the others. His first call from the hospital was to his father — overwhelmed with tears, unaware if his mother, brother, and sister were even alive.

Then came the call that changed everything: They were found. All of them alive. Doctors and police burst into celebration. "It was a moment I will never forget," said Austin.

'Superhuman': Praise Pours In for Modest Teen Who Saved the Day

While Austin brushes off the term "hero," others don't hesitate.

"He swam for four hours in the ocean against current then ran 2kms after to get to a phone. And off Perth, it’s literally Sharkville out there," one stunned admirer posted. "That is a remarkable feat of resilience and survival. Saved his whole family. Impressive young man."

"Such a hero and what an amazing story! Way to go mate 🤙," another gushed. "My boy did a life or deathe triathlon to save his family 🫶🏽 [sic]," a third wrote.

"INSANE!!! That's the difference between a young boy, and a man," a commenter added. "His future is bright. When a teen can show this level of fight, anything is possible … what an incredible story."

Even Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue commander Paul Bresland called Austin's efforts "superhuman." Inspector James Bradley echoed the sentiment, saying, "His determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings."

Back to School — on Crutches, but a Champion

The family was treated for minor injuries — mostly from exposure and exhaustion. Austin has since returned to school — albeit on crutches, his legs battered by the swim.

Even now, less than a week later, he's still coming to terms with what happened.

It's a moment that will stay with him, and with the world, forever.