“NOT TODAY!” — THE 13-YEAR-OLD WHO TORE OFF HIS LIFE JACKET AND FOUGHT THE OCEAN FOR FOUR HOURS TO SAVE HIS FAMILY. A heart-stopping survival story out of Western Australia has left the world in awe after 13-year-old Austin Appelbee made an unthinkable choice when violent winds dragged his family nearly 14km offshore — at the razor’s edge between life and death, Austin ripped off his life jacket to swim faster and plunged alone into the open sea, battling brutal waves and exhaustion for hours until he reached land and raised the alarm, triggering a massive rescue operation; police have called him a “superhero,” his mother calls him her “guardian angel,” and those who know the full story say the most chilling part isn’t the distance or the time — it’s the moment a terrified child looked at the ocean and decided, not today, refusing to let his family disappear beneath the waves.
Superhuman’ teen, 13, swam for four hours to save his family stranded off Western Australian coast
A 13-year-old boy who swam four kilometres in dangerous swells to save his mother and two siblings has been hailed a hero.
The teenager’s family was on the water at Quindalup, 250km south of Perth, when strong winds began pushing their kayaks and paddleboards out to sea last Friday.
The boy jumped from his kayak and began swimming to shore, completing the first two kilometres in his life jacket before abandoning it for the final stretch.
He eventually made it to shore and raised the alarm.
His family – a 47-year-old woman, a 12-year-old boy and a eight-year-old girl – were found by rescuers clinging to a single paddleboard 14km from the shore.
‘I just said… ‘not today, not today’. I did breaststroke, I did freestyle, I did backstroke. I hit the bottom of the beach and just collapsed,’ the 13-year-old told Sky News.
‘And after that I had to sprint two kilometres to get to the phone.’
Naturaliste Marine Rescue commander Paul Bresland described the boy’s continued efforts through the rough swells as ‘superhuman’.
A 13-year-old boy (pictured) who swam for four kilometres in dangerous swells to save his stranded family has been hailed a hero
+4
View gallery
A 13-year-old boy (pictured) who swam for four kilometres in dangerous swells to save his stranded family has been hailed a hero
Helicopter rescue footage of the stranded group in the water after the teen raised the alarm
+4
View gallery
Helicopter rescue footage of the stranded group in the water after the teen raised the alarm
‘He swam in, he reckons, the first two hours with a life jacket on,’ he told the ABC.
‘And the brave fella thought he’s not going to make it with a life jacket on, so he ditched it, and he swam the next two hours without a life jacket.’
WA Water Police, local marine rescue volunteers and a rescue helicopter were deployed in the multi-agency search.
They were found within an hour at 8.30pm and towed to shore by a rescue boat.
The group had been treading water for several hours, with the mother working to keep her children afloat in the rough conditions.
South West Police Inspector James Bradley praised the young boy for his accurate descriptions of the kayak and paddleboards he provided to rescuers.
‘The actions of the 13-year-old boy cannot be praised highly enough,’ he said.
‘His determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings.’
Joanne Appelbee and her son Austin who she says is a hero after he saved them
+4
View gallery
Joanne Appelbee and her son Austin who she says is a hero after he saved them
A 13-year-old boy who swam for four kilometres in dangerous swells to save his stranded family members has been hailed a hero (pictured is the Busselton Jetty in Geographe Bay)
+4
View gallery
A 13-year-old boy who swam for four kilometres in dangerous swells to save his stranded family members has been hailed a hero (pictured is the Busselton Jetty in Geographe Bay)
They were assessed by paramedics and taken to Busselton Health Campus.
The family was reunited with the rescue crews after they were discharged from hospital over the weekend.
Mr Bradley added the family’s use of life jackets had contributed to their survival, serving as a timely reminder to other holidaymakers.