Australian Teenager Swims 4 Kilometers to Rescue Family Adrift at Sea

Melbourne. A 13-year-old boy on the western coast of Australia showed incredible courage by saving the lives of his mother and two brothers who were in danger after being swept out to sea. He swam four kilometers to reach the shore to seek help for his family members who were struggling in the ocean.

They were swept out to sea while kayaking and paddleboarding with their mother and siblings near the Quindalup area of Western Australia on Friday afternoon.

According to Western Australia Police, the sea conditions were very rough. Although the situation became more complicated as evening approached, the teenager did not give up. The 13-year-old, Austin Appleby, understood the situation and decided to head back to shore. Initially, he covered some distance by kayak, but the kayak began to fill with water and sink. He then started swimming towards the shore without a life jacket. 

After struggling for about two hours, he reached the shore at 6 p.m. and notified the authorities. A rescue operation was then launched. A rescue helicopter found the teenager's 47-year-old mother, 12-year-old brother, and eight-year-old sister struggling in the sea while holding onto a paddleboard.

The volunteer marine rescue team brought them safely to shore. Austin stated that the thought of his family kept him going. He used various swimming styles to fight the large waves. Although he collapsed from exhaustion upon reaching the shore, he ran two kilometers to call the rescuers. Rescue officials praised Austin's effort as a 'superhuman' level of courage. His mother said she had faith that her son could do it because he learned to swim from a young age.