A 13-year-old boy swam for four hours in fading light and rough conditions on Friday evening to save his mother and two younger siblings after they were swept out to sea in the southwest region. Western Australia.
The family were vacationing in Quindalup, 250km south of Perth, when strong winds pushed their inflatable paddleboards and kayak offshore from Geograph Bay.
The boy tried to kayak back to shore for help, but the vessel took on water, forcing him to swim 4km back to shore, where he successfully raised the alarm.
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Western Australia Police received a report that a family had been swept out to sea at 6pm on Friday and mobilized a multi-agency search and rescue operation, including WA Water Police, local marine rescue volunteers and the Western Australia Rescue Helicopter.
The woman, 47, a boy, 12, and a girl, 8, were clinging to a paddleboard in a rescue helicopter at 8:30 p.m.
A volunteer marine rescue vessel was dispatched to their location and the three were successfully rescued.
Commander of Naturalist Volunteer Marine Rescue, Paul Bresland, said the family was 14km offshore and had been treading water in rough seas for hours before they were found. ABC reported.
Bresland said the 13-year-old provided a detailed description of the color of the kayaks and paddleboards — invaluable to search efforts.
He also revealed that the 13-year-old boy swam for two hours with his lifejacket on and another two hours without it, before taking it off.
The family were assessed by St John WA paramedics before being transported to the Busselton Health Campus for medical assessment.
A spokesman for St John WA said it was a “fantastic rescue” and he “praised the teenage boy for his brave actions”.
South West Police Inspector James Bradley thanked those involved in the successful rescue mission and said it was a reminder that sea conditions can change rapidly.
“Thankfully, all three men were wearing life jackets, which helped them survive,” he said.
“The actions of a 13-year-old boy cannot be praised, his determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings.”
