The Appelbee family—mother Joanne Appelbee and her three children, including 13‑year‑old Austin—were on vacation in Western Australia when a sudden weather shift pulled them nearly nine miles offshore while they were kayaking and paddleboarding. Facing rough seas, Joanne said she couldn’t leave the younger children and sent Austin to get help.
Austin’s kayak capsized more than two miles from shore. He swam for hours to reach land, later saying he was powered by “prayer and happy thoughts” and that he tried to keep his mind on upbeat things—he even recalled thinking of Thomas the Tank Engine to keep going.
When Austin finally reached shore, he called for help. Rescue crews, alerted after a helicopter and then a rescue boat were dispatched, found and recovered Joanne and the two younger children. Joanne described the relief when rescuers appeared: “We made it. We’re alive. And that’s the most important thing. And I have all three babies… All three of them made it. That was all that mattered.”
Officials have credited Austin with saving his family’s lives by swimming to shore and summoning help. The family was reunited after the rescue; authorities and rescuers praised the quick response that brought them back safely. Tony Dokoupil reported the story for CBS News.