Listen to the extraordinary triple-zero call hero teenager made after he swam four kilometres to get help for his mum and siblings stranded at sea

The full triple zero phone call a Perth teenager made after swimming four kilometers and running another two kilometers to save his stranded family has been released.

Austin Appelbee, 13, earned hero status after miraculously swimming to shore when he, his mother and two younger siblings were swept out to sea off Western Australia’s southwest coast on January 30.

If his incredible journey to save his family wasn’t impressive enough, WA Police praised his remarkable calm during the triple zero call for help.

Austin was kayaking and paddleboarding at Geographe Bay near Quindalup with his mother, Joanne, and younger siblings, eight-year-old Beau and 12-year-old Grace.

The group set out at 11 a.m. but ran into trouble when the sea suddenly surged and dragged them off shore.

When the group was about 4 km from shore, Joanne told Austin to swim back for help.

The determined young man abandoned his flooded canoe and battled rough seas for four hours to get back to shore.

When he finally reached land, Austin ran about 2 kilometers to the hotel and was finally able to call for help.

Austin calmly told the triple zero operator where his family was and requested a helicopter to help search for them (pictured is the beach near Quindalup where Austin’s family was washed out to sea)

‘Hello, my name is Austin. I have two siblings, Beau and Grace. ‘We went on a kayaking and paddle boarding trip and were taken out to sea and lost there,’ he told the triple zero operator.

‘We got lost… I don’t know what time it was but it was a long time ago.

‘We couldn’t get back to shore and my mum told me to go back and get help and I haven’t seen them since.

‘I think they are miles out to sea. ‘I think we need a helicopter to find them.’

Only after telling the operator which beach he was on and that he needed to rescue his family immediately did Austin admit that he, too, needed urgent help.

‘I’m sitting on the beach right now. “I think I need an ambulance because I think I have hypothermia,” he said.

‘I had to swim against the current for about four kilometers and I’m really tired.

‘I think I’ve had heatstroke and I feel like I’m going to pass out.’

Austin had run to a hotel after swimming from where his family (above) was stranded at sea.

Austin told the operator he was ‘really scared’ for his family.

‘I lost sight of them… It’s been so long since I’ve seen them,’ he said.

The operator asked: ‘Did my mother say she would meet you on shore, or did you swim back?’

Austin replied: ‘My mother said, “Go get help, we’re in big trouble.”‘

WA Police launched a massive search operation and found Austin’s mother and siblings around 8.30pm. They swam 14 km from the shore.

Acting Police Forward Commander Sergeant Andrew McDonnell said Austin’s calm demeanor contributed to the successful outcome of the search.

‘The situation in which the Appelbee family found themselves was extremely dire. “They were in real trouble and given how long they had been in the water and the daylight was fading, time was absolutely critical,” he said.

‘What Austin did was nothing short of extraordinary. ‘His bravery and courage in the circumstances was remarkable and his actions were crucial in achieving a successful outcome.’

WA Police praise Austin’s calm demeanor during triple zero call which likely saved his family’s lives

He added that WA Police would one day be pleased to have a sane entity like Austin on its staff.

“His composure and ability to make critical decisions in an emergency situation reflect the qualities the force looks for in future personnel and the WA Police Force hopes to join forces with him in the future,” he said.

‘The way he calmly communicated during the triple zero call shows how greatly clear and accurate information can help first responders.’