A 13-year-old Australian boy, Austin Appelbee, has been hailed a hero after saving his mother and two younger siblings when they were swept out to sea off the Australian coast.

The family, from Perth, were on vacation using kayaks and paddleboards when rough ocean conditions dragged them far from shore, leaving them stranded at sea. With no immediate help in sight, young Austin made the brave decision to swim for help. Austin swam nearly four kilometers for about four hours before reaching shore, where he collapsed after raising the alarm. His quick thinking and determination led to the successful rescue of his family, drawing widespread praise across Australia.