13-year-old swims 4km to save family from rough seas in Western Australia

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0 February 3, 2026 23:51

Australian boy Austin Appleby, 13, has been praised for his remarkable determination and courage. While kayaking and paddleboarding with his family, strong winds and waves swept them further out to sea. With no way to call for help, Austin made a life-or-death decision to swim 4km alone to reach the shore and raise the alarm.

After nearly 10 hours at sea, rescuers found his mom and two younger siblings clinging to a paddleboard. Rescuers described Austin’s feat as superhuman, saying his determination saved lives. Despite being hailed as a hero, Austin humbly credits his motivation to Thomas the Tank Engine, saying: "Just keep swimming." https://cna.asia/45MS7ps