A 13-year-old boy swam 4 kilometers through rough ocean for four hours after his mother and two siblings were swept out to sea near Dunsborough, Western Australia. He ran 2 kilometers barefoot to call for help. Rescuers found them clinging to paddleboards 14 km offshore after 10 hours.

[u/Electronic-Bus-3494]

Austin Appelbee was 13. His mother Joanne and two younger siblings were swept out to sea. He tried a kayak first, but it started filling with water, so he abandoned it and swam. Alone. Through choppy water. As daylight faded. Four kilometers. Nearly four hours.

He reached shore, ran another two kilometers barefoot to their accommodation, and used his mother's phone to call for help. A major marine rescue operation launched. Rescuers later found Joanne and the two younger children clinging to paddleboards about 14 kilometers offshore. They had been drifting for nearly 10 hours.

Authorities credited Austin's actions with bringing rescuers to them. A 13-year-old with nothing but willpower and bare feet.

[u/FalseDrive]

So many people disregard “young” relationships as stupid and meaningless, and downplay their child/sibling’s love and heartbreak because they aren’t adults. Do kids make the most sensible decisions? No. Do they have to deal with “adult” problems, like marriage and buying a house and finances etc? No. Doesn’t mean those relationships don’t mean something

[u/A_little_curiosity → u/FalseDrive]

Yes!! And it doesn't mean that the feelings aren't real or powerful. Real enough and powerful enough to carry a kid like Austin through a superhuman feat like his, indeed