A full recording of a life-saving call made by a Perth teenager has been released, shedding light on his heroic actions. The teen managed to save his family by swimming four kilometers and running another two to reach safety.
Thirteen-year-old Austin Appelbee has been hailed as a hero after he swam to safety when he, his mother, and two younger siblings were swept away by the sea off the coast of Western Australia on January 30.
His daunting rescue mission is not the only thing that caught attention. Authorities have commended Austin for maintaining an impressive level of composure while contacting emergency services for assistance.
Austin was enjoying a day of kayaking and paddleboarding with his mother, Joanne, and his siblings, eight-year-old Beau and 12-year-old Grace, in Geographe Bay near Quindalup.
The family embarked on their outing at 11 a.m., but their adventure took a dangerous turn when the ocean conditions unexpectedly worsened, pulling them away from the shore.
When they found themselves approximately 4 km from the shore, Joanne instructed Austin to swim back and seek help.
The determined teenager abandoned his kayak, which was taking on water, and spent four hours battling the rough sea to get back to the beach.
Once he finally reached land, Austin ran roughly 2km to a hotel where he was finally able to phone for help.
Austin Appelbee (above) swam four kilometres and ran two kilometres to save his mother and two siblings on January 30
Austin calmly told a triple-zero operator where his family was and asked for a helicopter to help search for them (pictured is the beach near Quindalup where Austin’s family were swept out to sea)
‘Hello, my name’s Austin. I have two siblings, Beau and Grace. We went out on a kayak and paddle board trip and we got took out to sea and got lost out there,’ he told the triple-zero operator.
‘We got lost around about, um – I don’t know what time it was but it was a very long time ago.
‘We couldn’t get back to shore and Mum told me to go back and get help and I haven’t seen them since.
‘I think they’re kilometres out in the sea. I think we need a helicopter to go find them.’
Only after telling the operator what beach he was at and the urgent need to rescue his family, did Austin admit that he too needed urgent help.
‘I’m sitting on the beach right now. I think I need an ambulance because I think I have hypothermia,’ he said.
‘I had to swim around about four kilometres facing the current and I’m really, extremely tired.
‘I think I have a heat stroke and I feel like I’m about to pass out.’
Austin had ran to a hotel after swimming from where his family (above) was stranded at sea
Austin went on to tell the operator he was ‘really scared’ for his family.
‘I’ve lost sight of them… It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen them,’ he said.
The operator asked: ‘Did Mum say she was going to meet you back at shore or you just swam back in?’
Austin answered: ‘Mum said, ‘Go get help, we’re in massive trouble.”
WA Police launched a massive search operation and found Austin’s mother and siblings about 8.30pm. They’d floated 14km from the shore.
Police Forward Commander Acting Sergeant Andrew McDonnell said Austin’s calm demeanour contributed to the search’s successful outcome.
‘The situation the Appelbee family found themselves in was extremely dire. They were in real trouble, and time was absolutely critical given how long they had been in the water and with daylight fading,’ he said.
‘What Austin did was nothing short of extraordinary. His bravery and courage in those conditions were remarkable, and his actions were pivotal in bringing about a successful outcome.’
WA Police praised Austin’s calm demeanour during the triple-zero call, which likely saved his family’s lives
WA Police added it would be glad to have a levelled-headed presence like Austin on its force one day.
‘His composure and ability to make critical decisions in an emergency situation reflect the qualities the agency seeks in its future recruits, and the WA Police Force hopes to join forces with him in the future,’ it said.
‘The way he calmly communicated during the triple-zero call further demonstrates how clear and accurate information can greatly assist first responders.’
