13-year-old Boy swims 4km to Save Family Stranded at Sea

By: BBC

A 13-year-old boy has been praised after swimming through choppy waters and low light to save his mother and two siblings who were swept away by the waves off the coast of Australia.

The family was surfing in Geographe Bay, near Quindalup in Western Australia, on Friday when strong winds blew them away, police say.

The young man started to paddle back to shore to report but his kayak went into the water – so he swam the remaining 4 kilometers to shore.

“The bravery, strength and courage shown by this family was incredible, especially the young man who swam 4km to report,” said the Naturaliste Marine Rescue Group.

The group’s commander, Paul Bresland, said he swam for the first two hours wearing a life jacket.

“The boy thought he wouldn’t make it with a life jacket on, so he left it on, and swam for the next two hours without a life jacket.”

The boy was able to make a statement on Friday evening, prompting a search by multiple agencies, Western Australian Police said in a statement on Monday.

The 47-year-old mother, her other son, 12, and her eight-year-old daughter, were found by a rescue helicopter holding onto a lifeboat about 14 kilometers from shore.

“A volunteer rescue ship was dispatched to their location and all three were rescued and brought back to shore,” the force said.

Inspector James Bradley said, “Fortunately, all three people were wearing life jackets, which contributed to their survival,” he told local media.

Police said the family was examined by medical personnel before being taken to a nearby hospital.

The family was later allowed to leave and visit the marine rescue workers to thank them, according to ABC.