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13-Year-Old's Heroic Swim Saves Family from Sea

2/3/2026

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Story summary
  • Austin Appelbee, 13, described his effort to alert authorities after his family was swept out to sea near Quindalup.
  • Rough conditions on Friday evening forced them into danger while paddleboarding and kayaking.
  • Austin abandoned his kayak and swam more than four kilometers to shore.
  • Marine Rescue commander Paul Bresland praised Austin Appelbee's "superhuman effort" after the rescue.