‘We need a helicopter to go find them’: 13-year-old’s emergency call to save family stranded off WA coast revealed

Thirteen-year-old Austin Appelbee alerted Western Australian emergency services on February 11, 2026, after swimming four kilometers through treacherous shark-filled waters to save his mother and two siblings following a boating accident off the coast of Western Australia. The teenager managed to reach the shore near the remote town of Exmouth to call for help after their vessel capsized during a family outing, leaving his relatives stranded in the open ocean. Local authorities released the harrowing emergency call audio shortly after the rescue, highlighting the narrow margin for survival during the incident. In the released recordings, the young teenager can be heard pleading with dispatchers, stating, 'We need a helicopter to go find them,' as he struggled to describe the exact location where his family remained adrift. Despite his exhaustion and admiting to being 'really scared,' Austin provided critical details that allowed the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and local police to coordinate a high-stakes search operation. The rough sea conditions and the distance from the shore made the swim an extraordinary feat of endurance for a child of his age. Following the distress call, a rescue helicopter was deployed to the area, eventually locating the mother and the two other children clinging to a makeshift floatation device. Rescuers noted that the family was suffering from mild hypothermia and shock but were otherwise in stable condition thanks to the timely intervention. The Western Australian community has since hailed Austin as a hero, while maritime experts emphasize that his decision to swim for help likely prevented a tragic loss of life in a region known for powerful currents and marine predators.