A 13-year-old boy, Austin Appelbee, swam roughly 4 km (2.5 miles) to shore after his family was swept out to sea off Western Australia, raising the alarm and prompting a rescue. His mother and two younger siblings were later found clinging to a paddleboard about 14 km (9 miles) from shore after spending up to 10 hours in the water. Rescue crews and police praised Austin's courage; all four family members were medically assessed and did not require hospital admission. Authorities warned about the dangers of rough coastal conditions and urged caution with small watercraft.
‘Superhuman’ 13-Year-Old Swims 4 km to Shore, Saves Mother and Siblings After Family Swept Out to Sea
Austin Appelbee poses for a photo in Gidgegannup, Australia, Feb. 3, 2026, after the 13-year-old made an hourslong swim to raise an alarm after his family was swept out to sea off the Australian coast. / Credit: Briana Shepherd/AP(ABC / AP)
A 13-year-old boy from Perth is being credited with saving the lives of his mother and two younger siblings after the family was swept out to sea off the Western Australia coast. Austin Appelbee swam roughly 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) to shore over several hours to raise the alarm, while his mother Joanne Appelbee and siblings clung to a paddleboard until rescue crews arrived.
What Happened
The family had hired kayaks and paddleboards from their hotel around midday when strong winds and rough ocean conditions began to drag them out from Quindalup. The inflatable kayak Austin first used took on water, and the family found themselves struggling in heavy swell.
Austin's Effort
According to police and rescue crews, Austin swam for about four hours to reach shore and raise the alarm. Naturaliste Marine Rescue commander Paul Bresland told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the boy’s effort was "superhuman." Bresland said Austin swam the first two hours wearing a life jacket, then removed it because it hindered his stroke and continued for roughly another two hours without it.
This image taken from video shows Austin Appelbee, right, posing with his family in Gidgegannup, Australia, Tuesday Feb. 3, 2026. / Credit: ABC/AP
"The waves are massive and I have no life jacket on. … I just kept thinking 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming,'" Austin said. "And then I finally made it to shore and I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed."
Rescue and Aftermath
A search helicopter located Joanne Appelbee and the two younger children—Beau, 12, and Grace, 8—about 14 kilometres (9 miles) from shore at around 8:30 p.m. They were found wearing life jackets and clinging to a paddleboard after spending up to 10 hours in the water. The mother told reporters she had made the painful decision to send Austin for help because she could not safely leave all three children.
Police Inspector James Bradley praised Austin's determination and courage, saying his actions "cannot be praised highly enough." The family were medically assessed after the rescue; none required hospital admission.
Official Praise
Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue Group posted on social media to commend the family's bravery and highlighted Austin's swim as the action that "set everything into motion." Rescue authorities emphasized the risks of venturing into rough coastal conditions and urged caution and proper safety precautions when using small watercraft.
Key facts: Austin swam about 4 km (2.5 miles) over roughly four hours; the mother and two children drifted about 14 km (9 miles) and spent up to 10 hours in the water before being located; all family members were checked by medics and released.
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