A beach at Broadwater, Geographe Bay, southwest Western Australia – credit Kgbo CC 4.0.
A 13-year-old boy has been hailed as a hero after swimming 4 hours through rough seas to rescue his family.
A family of 4 was enjoying a holiday in Australia’s southwest coast near Quindalup when strong winds blew their inflatable paddleboards out to sea. The boy was separated from his mom and 2 siblings before his canoe began to take on water.
Wearing a life-jacket, he began to swim against the wind towards the shore, knowing every second counted in the race to get help to save his family.
Commander Paul Bresland with the volunteer organization Cape Naturaliste Marine Rescue told ABC News that the boy swam for 2 hours with his life jacket on.
“And the brave fella thought he’s not going to make it with a life jacket on, so he ditched it, and he swam the next 2 hours without a life jacket,” said Bresland. “I thought, ‘Mate, that is incredible.’”
Once ashore he successfully raised the alarm and a multi-agency search and rescue operation was mobilized, including Western Australia state Water Police and its rescue helicopter. The teen provided detailed descriptions of the paddleboards, and within the hour, his family was rescued by boat, having drifted 7 miles out into the Indian Ocean.
When rescuers arrived, the 47-year-old mother was struggling to keep a daughter, 8, and an eldest son, 14, firmly affixed to the paddleboard in the choppy waters.
“Physically, she just said, ‘I’m struggling, I can’t,’ but she just said they’re looking her in the eye, and she just kept going and kept them together,” Mr. Bresland said, adding she deserved enormous praise for her perseverance.
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ABC reported that the family were assessed at a local hospital and quickly discharged, before taking the time to visit the rescue organization to thank them in person.
South West Police Inspector James Bradley said the story highlights some important ocean safety aspects: all members of the family were wearing life jackets—a key positive. Wind speeds near shore should always be carefully monitored as well.
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