An audio clip has emerged, capturing the dramatic triple-zero call made by 13-year-old Austin Appelbee. This young hero from Western Australia swam an impressive 4 kilometers against a powerful current to save his mother and siblings, who were stranded at sea.
On January 30, Austin’s family had rented paddleboards and a kayak for a day of fun at Quindalup, located about 250 kilometers south of Perth. They ventured out into the expansive waters of Geographe Bay, unaware of the ordeal that awaited them.
By midday, unpredictable ocean and wind conditions began pulling the family further from shore, putting them in a dangerous situation.
Demonstrating remarkable courage, Austin swam back to the shore to alert authorities, which ultimately led to the successful rescue of his mother, Joanne Appelbee, aged 47, along with his siblings, 12-year-old Beau and eight-year-old Grace. The family had been swept 14 kilometers from the coast.
This week, the Western Australian Police Force released a segment of Austin’s emergency call, offering insight into the tense moments of the rescue.
“We couldn’t get back to shore and mum told me to go back to get help. I haven’t seen them since then,” Austin recounted to the emergency operator, encapsulating the urgency and bravery of his actions.
“We couldn’t get back to shore and mum told me to go back to get help. I haven’t seen them since then,” Appelbee told the operator.
“I think they’re kilometres out to sea. I think we need a helicopter to go find them. I’m sitting on the beach right now. I think I need an ambulance because I think I’ve got hypothermia.”
Appelbee then provides precise details about when the group entered the water and the colours of their paddleboards.
“Mum said: ‘Go get help’. We were in massive trouble,” Appelbee said.
A search helicopter found the mother and two children wearing life jackets and clinging to a paddleboard at 8.30pm local time, police said.
Acting sergeant Andrew McDonnell described Appelbee’s actions as “nothing short of extraordinary”.
“His bravery and courage in those conditions were remarkable, and his actions were pivotal in bringing about a successful outcome,” he said in a statement.
McDonnell described the family’s situation as 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.
“By getting himself to safety and relaying critical information, he helped enable a coordinated response involving WA Police, local Marine Rescue volunteers and St John Ambulance — all people who live in and serve this community, many of whom do so as volunteers.”
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