Australians urged to nominate Austin Appelbee for bravery award after teenager’s lifesaving ocean heroics

Australians are being urged to nominate Austin Appelbee for a bravery medal after listening to the teenager’s emergency call that saved his mother and siblings.

The incredible triple-0 audio was released by WA Police on Wednesday and prompted more praise for the 13-year-old’s calm demeanour after swimming 4km against the ocean current to raise the alarm.

“We got lost out there,” he told the operator. “A very long time ago … I think they’re kilometres out to sea. I think we need a helicopter to go find them.

“I’m sitting on the beach right now and I have to also explain, I think I need an ambulance because I think I have hypothermia.”

Austin told the operator that his mum had made the terrifying decision to get him to swim for shore to get help, while the rest of the family clung to a paddle board.

They were swept out to sea near Quindalup in the South West.

Senior Labor Minister John Carey said he was amazed by Austin’s heroic effort.

“The kid deserves a medal, extraordinary that in such a high pressure situation that he was able to swim so far, but then actually get there, make a call and actually be so calm and clear,” he said.

“Anyone can actually nominate. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a large number of the public that will go out of their way to to ensure that he’s nominated.”

The phone call triggered a major search and rescue operation.

Austin’s mother Joanne, 12-year-old brother Beau and eight-year-old sister Grace were saved about 10 hours after they entered the water.

Police had feared the worst.

“They were in real trouble and time was absolutely critical given how long they had been in the water and with daylight fading,” Acting Sgt Andrew McDonnell said.

He described the moment the family was found safe as one of the highlights of his career.

“It’s one of those moments that really reminds you why, why you do what you do,” he said.

Acting Sgt McDonnell said Austin’s emergency call should serve as a lesson, as well as an incredible happy ending to an ocean scare.

“A real lesson to parents and to other children to understand what it means to make a triple zero call (and deliver) those essential messages that we need,” he said.

“Austin is a perfect example of in real adversity, being able to clearly articulate where he was, the time that he went into the ocean.

“Those messages to the triple zero operator mean that we can deploy our resources immediately and get that effective outcome.

“That clear, concise phone call and was absolutely crucial in us being able to ascertain the nature of the emergency.”