Teenager faces hypothermia while calling triple-zero to save family swept out to sea in Geographe Bay near Perth

A 13-year-old Perth teenager has captured the nation’s admiration after performing an extraordinary act of bravery.

Austin Appelbee swam four kilometres through rough seas to get help for his mother and younger siblings who were stranded far from shore, showing remarkable courage and calmness under pressure.

A Day on the Water Turns Dangerous

Austin, his mother Joanne, and his siblings, 12-year-old Grace and eight-year-old Beau, had set off for a kayaking and paddleboarding trip in Geographe Bay near Quindalup.

What started as a fun morning around 11 a.m. quickly turned into a life-threatening situation.

Strong currents and rough waters swept the family away from the shore, leaving them stranded several kilometres out at sea.

Recognizing the danger, Joanne instructed Austin to swim back to shore and seek help.

The Grueling Journey for Help

Without hesitation, Austin abandoned his kayak, which had begun to take on water, and began the difficult swim.

He battled the currents for four long hours before reaching the shore, exhausted and suffering from hypothermia.

His ordeal was far from over.

Determined to save his family, Austin ran approximately two kilometres to a nearby hotel where he could call triple-zero for emergency assistance.

During the call, Austin spoke with remarkable clarity and composure, despite his own exhaustion.

“We got lost… Mum told me to go back and get help. I haven’t seen them since,” he explained.

He emphasized the urgent need for a helicopter to locate his mother and siblings, even as he admitted that he himself was in serious physical distress.

A Successful Rescue

WA Police launched a large-scale search operation.

Acting Sergeant Andrew McDonnell praised Austin’s calm and precise communication, noting it played a critical role in the rescue.

By approximately 8:30 p.m., authorities located Joanne, Grace, and Beau, who had drifted 14 kilometres from the shore. All three were found alive and safe.

McDonnell described the situation as extremely dire, highlighting the critical role Austin’s bravery and composure played in ensuring a successful outcome.

WA Police even remarked that they would welcome someone with Austin’s level-headedness in their ranks, pointing out that his clear thinking and decisive actions are qualities highly valued in emergency response.

The Heroism Behind the Call

What makes Austin’s story even more remarkable is not just his physical endurance but his emotional resilience.

His ability to stay calm and relay crucial information to emergency services ensured that his family received help as quickly as possible.

Authorities have highlighted his actions as a powerful example of how clear-headed decision-making can save lives in critical situations.

Austin’s bravery has inspired people across Australia, demonstrating the extraordinary difference that courage, focus, and determination can make during an emergency.

What’s Next?

Austin and his family are recovering after the terrifying ordeal.

WA Police have publicly commended his heroism, and his story has sparked discussions about water safety, the importance of emergency planning, and teaching young people how to respond in crises.

Local youth programs and community organizations may use his example to highlight the life-saving impact of courage and composure in dangerous situations.

Summary

Thirteen-year-old Austin Appelbee performed a heroic act by swimming four kilometres through rough seas to save his mother and siblings after they were swept away in Geographe Bay.

After reaching shore, he ran two kilometres to call emergency services, maintaining a calm and clear-headed demeanor throughout the ordeal.

WA Police praised his bravery, composure, and critical decision-making, which contributed to a successful rescue.

Austin’s actions not only reunited his family safely but also inspired communities and authorities with a powerful example of courage in the face of danger.