“Exceptional”: A 13-Year-Old Australian Swims for Four Hours to Save His Family

An Australian teenager, Austin Appelbee, performed a heroic act by swimming four kilometers in open water to save his family, reported police on February 3rd. He was on a paddleboard and kayak outing with his mother and two younger siblings off the coast of Quindalup in southwestern Australia when the weather conditions suddenly worsened.

The waves capsized their boards and filled the kayak with water, pushing the family out to sea. In the face of danger, the mother instructed her son to swim to shore to seek help. Initially, he attempted to use the kayak but eventually swam for several hours, covering four kilometers, even removing his life jacket to swim faster.

Despite fear and exhaustion, the teenager focused on positive thoughts and alternated his strokes to survive. Once he reached the beach, he immediately alerted the authorities.

His 47-year-old mother, along with his 12-year-old brother and 8-year-old sister, were later found clinging to a paddleboard and rescued by a boat. Authorities and rescuers praised his actions as "exceptional" and "superhuman," emphasizing that the courage and determination of the young boy saved his entire family.