US EditionAustralian Teen Swims 4 Hours to Save Family Swept Out to Sea
Austin Appelbee swam 4 km through shark-prone waters to alert authorities, leading to a rescue after his family spent 10 hours stranded 14 km offshore, officials said.
- Friday, January 31, 2026, Austin Appelbee reached shore and alerted authorities after his mother and two siblings were swept out to sea near Quindalup, prompting a rescue effort.
- Their kayak and paddleboards were overtaken by offshore winds and worsening conditions, forcing them further out to sea near Quindalup, despite wearing life jackets.
- He swam for hours, first keeping a life jacket then removing it to swim unencumbered, covering four kilometres over roughly four hours before sprinting 2 km to Club Wyndham Dunsborough to call triple-0 at 6 p.m.
- WA Police South West Inspector James Bradley praised the boy's actions, saying `they cannot be praised highly enough`, after all four family members received first aid and none required hospital admission.
- Authorities urged caution about strong offshore winds, noting shark sightings tracked by WA's SharkSmart, and highlighted the multi-agency rescue using AMSAR SAR aircraft, RAC Helicopter, and marine vessels.
164 Articles
164 Articles
A 13-year-old boy swam for four hours on the rough sea off the coast of Western Australia to ask for help and thus save his family, who drifted away after being dragged by the waves.The action allowed the rescue alive of his mother and two younger brothers.The minor, identified by local means as Austin Appelbee, traveled about four kilometers in the ocean to reach the shore and alert emergency services.The incident occurred on Friday afternoon i…
New York Post
Fox NewsAustralian teen swims 2.5 miles for hours to save family swept out to sea
A 13-year-old boy swam for hours through rough ocean waters to save his family after they were swept out to sea off Australia’s coast, a heroic effort police say saved his mother and two siblings.
While the 13-year-old swam towards land to call for help, his mother and siblings drifted further and further away, eventually reaching about 14 kilometers from the coast - Rescuers described his effort as "superhuman"
Teen Swims Hours To Rescue Family Stranded Off Australian Coast
What would you do if the sea started pulling your family away? For one 13-year-old boy in Western Australia, the answer was simple — keep going, no matter the cost.The family had been enjoying paddleboarding and kayaking at Geographe Bay when strong winds suddenly dragged them off course. As daylight faded and the water turned rough, the teenager made a split-second decision: get help. His kayak began taking on water, so he abandoned it and swam…
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