Austin Appelbee Swims 4km, Calls for Helicopter to Save Family
Audio released of Austin Appelbee's triple-zero call after he swam about 4km and ran 2km to summon help on Jan. 30.
Overview
Western Australia Police Force released a call in which 13-year-old Austin Appelbee says he swam about 4km and ran 2km to get help after his family was swept from Geographe Bay on Jan. 30.
Austin told the operator "I think we need a helicopter" and said he was "extremely tired" and feared for his mother's and siblings' condition, according to the recording released by WA Police.
Forward commander acting Sergeant Andrew McDonnell said Austin's actions were "nothing short of extraordinary" and pivotal to a successful search and rescue, officials confirmed.
The family drifted about 14km from shore and were rescued about 10 hours after leaving Geographe Bay, with officials locating them clinging to a paddleboard at about 8:30 p.m., records show.
WA Police said they released the audio to aid transparency and review of the response, and the family declined further comment while authorities examine the incident timeline, officials confirmed.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this as neutral human-interest reporting: they prioritize factual timeline (call release, hospital update, rescue 14 km offshore), reproduce the boy's quoted emotions ("I'm really scared", "extremely tired") as source content, avoid evaluative language, and include outcome details without editorializing or omitted perspectives.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The family of four—Austin Appelbee (13), his mother Joanne (47), brother Beau (12), and sister Grace (8)—were kayaking and paddleboarding off Quindalup in Geographe Bay when rough conditions swept them out to sea, about 14km offshore.
Austin swam 4km to shore in about four hours, ditched his life jacket midway, ran 2km to a phone, and called triple zero requesting a helicopter, triggering a multi-agency search that located his family clinging to a paddleboard after 10 hours.[1]
The family was rescued safely after about 10 hours at sea, all clinging to a paddleboard; no injuries are reported, and they have declined further comment while authorities review the incident.
WA Police released the triple-zero call for transparency, acting Sergeant Andrew McDonnell called Austin's actions 'extraordinary' and pivotal, and rescuers like Paul Bresland described his 4km swim as 'superhuman'.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.