Five desperate words sparked a dramatic ocean rescue when Austin Appelbee told a 000 operator that “we got lost out there” and warned that his mother and siblings were stranded “kilometres out to sea”.
The 000 call that had a happy ending can now be revealed, days after the 13-year-old’s heroic tale sparked global headlines.
LISTEN TO THE CALL IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE
“My name’s Austin and I’m outside (inaudible) beach,” Austin said.
“We went out on a kayak trip, a paddle board trip and 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 and then I haven’t seen them since. I think they’re kilometres out to sea, I think we need a helicopter to go find them.
“And I think I need an ambulance because I think I have hypothermia”.
He told the operator he was “really scared” and didn’t know the fate of his mother Joanne and siblings Beau, aged 12, and Grace, aged eight.
“I’m extremely tired . . . I feel like I’m about to pass out,” Austin said.
“I’ve lost sight of them.”
Austin has been hailed a hero, as the family’s rescue made news headlines around the world.
He was discharged from hospital in a wheelchair, after suffering blisters, swelling and muscle pain due to a four-kilometre swim against the current that was followed by a two-kilometre run to make the phone call that raised the alarm.
At about 8.40pm on January 30, Joanne Appelbee and Austin’s brother and sister were spotted by the RAC rescue helicopter.
They had drifted almost 14 kilometres out to sea and were clinging to a paddleboard.
“As the sun went down I thought, ‘something’s gone terribly wrong here’, and my fear was that Austin didn’t make it . . . everything goes through your head,” Joanne said.
“We were extremely proud,” she said. “I’m speechless . . . to keep going for so long, he’s absolutely amazing,” she beamed.
Police called it an incredible effort.
“What Austin did was nothing short of extraordinary,” Acting Sergeant Andrew McDonnell said.
“His bravery and courage in those conditions were remarkable, and his actions were pivotal in bringing about a successful outcome.
“They were in real trouble, and time was absolutely critical given how long they had been in the water and with daylight fading.”
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/austin-appelbees-desperate-000-call-that-sparked-dramatic-ocean-rescue-near-quindalup-c-21605078
