When 13-year-old Austin Appelbee and his family were swept miles out to sea off the Australian coast, the teenager made an impossible choice: abandon his sinking kayak and swim 2.5 miles through rough ocean waters to save them all. The emergency call he made after that heroic swim - released today - reveals the extraordinary courage of a boy who refused to let his family die.

🌊 The Day Everything Went Wrong

January 30th started as a perfect summer day in Western Australia. Austin, his mum Joanne (47), sister Grace (8), and brother Beau (12) set out for what should have been a relaxing family paddleboarding and kayaking trip off the coast of Quindalup.

But the ocean had other plans.

Strong currents swept the family kilometers out to sea. They paddled desperately trying to get back to shore, but the ocean was too powerful. Hours passed. They were miles from land, exhausted, and running out of time.

That's when Joanne made the hardest decision a mother can make: she told Austin to leave them and go for help.

💪 'Not Today, Not Today, Not Today'

Austin set out in his kayak, racing against time. But the nightmare deepened when his kayak started taking on water and began to sink.

Most people would panic. Most 13-year-olds would freeze. Austin decided to swim.

Four kilometers. That's 2.5 miles. Through rough seas. Fighting hypothermia. Fighting exhaustion. Fighting the voice in his head that must have been screaming to give up.

"I just said 'alright. Not today, not today, not today,'" Austin later told CNN affiliate 9News. "I had to keep on going."

He thought of his little sister Grace, only 8 years old, clinging to a paddleboard somewhere behind him. He thought of his brother Beau. He thought of his mum. And he swam.

🏃‍♂️ The Run That Saved Lives

When Austin finally dragged himself onto the beach - hypothermic, heat-exhausted, barely able to stand - he discovered he STILL wasn't done.

The beach was deserted. No phone. No help.

So the 13-year-old who'd just swum 4 kilometers started running. Another 2 kilometers down the beach until he found a phone.

The emergency call he made - released by Western Australia Police Force today - is a masterclass in composure under pressure.

📞 'We Need a Helicopter': The Call That Stunned Police

Listen to the words of a boy who'd just swum and run nearly 7 kilometers total, suffering from hypothermia and heatstroke:

"Hello, my name is Austin… I have two siblings, Beau and Grace. Beau is 12 and Grace is eight. We got took out to sea and we got lost out there."

"I don't know what time it was but it was a very long time ago. We couldn't get back to shore and Mum told me to go back to get help."

"I think they're kilometres out to sea. I think we need a helicopter to go find them. I don't know what their condition is right now, and I'm really scared."

Notice what he did: gave his name, named his siblings with their ages, explained the situation clearly, assessed what resources were needed (a helicopter), and admitted his fear - but never let it stop him from communicating the critical details.

And then this:

"I'm sitting on the beach right now, and I have to also explain – I think I need an ambulance because I think I have hypothermia. I'm extremely tired. I think I have heatstroke, and I feel like I'm about to pass out."

Even while fighting to stay conscious, Austin had the presence of mind to request medical help for himself.

🚁 The Rescue: A Race Against Time

Police forward commander acting sergeant Andrew McDonnell described the situation as "extremely dire."

"They were in real trouble, and time was absolutely critical given how long they had been in the water and with daylight fading," he said in a statement released with the emergency call.

Thanks to Austin's clear directions and incredible swim, emergency responders located Joanne, Grace, and Beau clinging to a paddleboard miles offshore. All three were rescued safely.

Sergeant McDonnell didn't mince words about what Austin's actions meant:

"What Austin did was nothing short of extraordinary. His bravery and courage in those conditions were remarkable, and his actions were pivotal in bringing about a successful outcome."

🌟 Why This Story Matters

There are a hundred points where this story could have ended in tragedy:

• Austin could have refused to leave his family
• He could have drowned when his kayak sank
• He could have succumbed to hypothermia during the 4km swim
• He could have collapsed on the beach instead of running another 2km
• He could have panicked during the emergency call and failed to communicate clearly

At every single decision point, this 13-year-old boy chose courage over fear, action over paralysis, and his family's survival over his own comfort and safety.

💭 The Lessons We Can Learn

From Austin's example:

• Think clearly under pressure: Even in extremity, Austin gave responders exactly what they needed to know
• Never give up: "Not today" became his mantra when his body screamed to quit
• Act decisively: When his kayak sank, he didn't waste time hoping - he immediately started swimming
• Know your limits but push past them anyway: Austin recognized his hypothermia and exhaustion but kept moving

From the police response:

• Clear communication saves lives: Austin's detailed call enabled a targeted rescue
• Youth doesn't mean inability: Police praised Austin's composure equal to trained responders

🎖️ A Hero's Recognition

Western Australia Police Force released the emergency call recording not just as a news item, but as an educational tool. They want people to hear what effective emergency communication sounds like under extreme duress.

"Austin's ability to think clearly under pressure demonstrates the type of composure that greatly assists first responders during emergencies," the police statement read.

In an age where "hero" gets thrown around casually, Austin Appelbee earned it the hard way: through four kilometers of ocean swimming, two kilometers of beach running, and the mental fortitude to stay calm while his world was falling apart. He's 13 years old and he saved three lives. His own family's lives. 💙