Heroic 13-year-old’s triple-zero call released

Audio has surfaced of 13-year-old hero Austin Appelbee’s triple-zero call, after the WA teen swam 4km against a strong current to seek help for his stranded mother and siblings.

On 30 January, Austin’s family rented paddleboards and a kayak at Quindalup, about 250km south of Perth, before heading out into the waters of the vast Geographe Bay.

Around noon, rough ocean and wind conditions started dragging them out to sea. Appelbee swam to shore to raise the alarm, leading to the rescue of his mother Joanne, 47, brother Beau, 12, and sister Grace, eight, who had drifted 14km offshore.

On Wednesday, WA Police Force shared a portion of the recording of Austin’s triple-zero call.
“We couldn’t get back to shore and mum told me to go back to get help. I haven’t seen them since then,” Appelbee told the operator.

SBS News is Australia’s trusted news source for the latest news from Australia and across the world.

Subscribe to the SBS News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on X: https://www.twitter.com/SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbsnews
Apple News: https://trib.al/MTx0gUe

For the latest news, visit www.sbs.com.au/news

Network Terms & Conditions: https://sbs.com.au/terms
Privacy Policy: https://sbs.com.au/privacy
Feedback or complaints: https://sbs.com.au/complaints