A 13-year-old Australian boy has been a hero after an epic swim that his family. The boy, Austin Appelbee, and his family were on a beach holiday in Western Australia. They were and paddleboarding in shallow water when strong winds pushed them farther offshore. They up over four kilometres away from land, and the daylight was . Austin decided to kayak to shore to get help. However, the waves had damaged his kayak, which had taken in water and flipped over. He said he then an oar and knew he in trouble. He decided he no alternative but to swim back to land. He through shark-frequented waters to the alarm.
Austin made it to the beach and phoned for help. This a huge rescue operation, which in coastguards finding the teenager's mother and two younger sisters. The boy said: "I hit the bottom of the beach and I just , and then, after that, I had to two kilometres to to the phone." Rescuers called his efforts "superhuman". One rescuer said Austin's actions could not " praised highly enough". He that the teenager's "determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings". Austin's mother Joanne, 47, told reporters: "The wind up. We lost oars, and we out further. It an absolute nightmare."
