A 13-year-old Australian boy has been widely praised as a hero after a remarkable act of bravery off the coast of Western Australia. When his family’s kayak and inflatable paddleboards were pushed far out to sea by strong winds near Quindalup in Geographe Bay, the teenager, identified in local media as Austin Appelbee, made a harrowing decision to try to save them.
With his mother, Joanne, 47, and his younger siblings — 12-year-old Beau and 8-year-old Grace — drifting roughly 14 kilometres offshore and awaiting rescue, Austin first attempted to paddle back to shore for help. When his kayak began taking on water, he abandoned it and swam about 4 kilometres (2 ½ miles) through rough, choppy ocean conditions, an effort that took around four hours, police and rescuers said.
After exhausting himself reaching land, he ran more than a mile to find a phone and call emergency services, sparking a multi-agency rescue operation involving water police, a helicopter, and marine rescue crews. His mother and siblings were found clinging to a paddleboard and were safely rescued later that evening.
Authorities described his courage and determination as “superhuman,” and public officials echoed widespread admiration for his quick thinking and endurance under extreme conditions.
news as reported
