Australian Teen, 13, Swims 4km to Save Family

A 13-year-old boy in Australia has been hailed a hero after swimming four kilometers to save his mother and two siblings. The family, a mother with her three children, were swept offshore while paddleboarding and kayaking off a coast in Western Australia.

Strong winds pushed them off course, prompting the 13-year-old to swim to shore to alert authorities. According to the Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue Group, the teenager’s bravery and courage were exceptional.

The boy notified authorities at 6:00 PM (local time). A search was immediately launched for the 47-year-old mother, her 12-year-old son, and her 8-year-old daughter. They were located by a rescue helicopter around 8:30 PM, holding onto their paddleboard approximately 14 kilometers from the coast. All were taken to a hospital as a precaution and were later discharged.

The 13-year-old swam the first two hours with a life jacket, which he then discarded, continuing for another two hours without it.