A 13-year-old boy from Australia swam for four hours through cold, dangerous waters to save his mother and two siblings after they were swept out to sea.
The family had been kayaking and paddleboarding off the coast of Western Australia when strong winds and unexpected currents carried them several miles offshore. Realizing they were unable to make it back to land, Austin Appelbee’s mother made the agonizing decision to send her son to shore to get help.
Without a life jacket and battling exhaustion, waves, and cold water, Austin swam alone for nearly four hours toward the coast. He later said he prayed continuously during the ordeal, believing that God gave him the strength to keep going when his body wanted to give up.
When he finally reached land, Austin collapsed from exhaustion but managed to get back on his feet and run nearly a mile to alert authorities. Emergency services immediately launched a rescue operation.
Several hours later, a rescue helicopter located Austin’s mother and his two younger siblings, who had spent close to ten hours stranded in the water before being brought safely to shore. All were treated for exhaustion and exposure but survived thanks to Austin’s actions.
Austin’s mother later said that asking her son to swim for help was the hardest decision she has ever made, but his courage, faith, and determination ultimately saved their lives. Authorities praised the teenager’s extraordinary bravery and endurance, calling his actions nothing short of heroic.
