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13-Year-Old Swims Miles to Rescue Family
5 Feb
Summary
- A 13-year-old boy swam four kilometers to save his stranded family.
- He had previously failed a state swimming program.
- His detailed descriptions helped rescuers find his family quickly.
A 13-year-old boy, Austin, displayed remarkable courage by swimming approximately four kilometers to rescue his family stranded at sea near Quindalup. Their kayaks and paddleboards were pushed offshore by strong winds on a Friday afternoon. Austin, who had previously failed a state swimming program, swam the first two kilometers with a life jacket before abandoning it for the final stretch to reach shore.
His detailed descriptions of the rented equipment assisted rescuers in locating his mother and three siblings within an hour. Despite the successful rescue, the revelation of Austin's past failure in a state swimming program, VacSwim, has added an ironic twist to his heroic feat. Officials have commended his actions, emphasizing that his real-life performance far surpassed any test.
The incident has drawn widespread admiration but also sparked controversy due to Austin's account of struggling to find help on the beach because of 'foreign people.' This led to some divisive online commentary. Many, however, urged a focus on the teenager's bravery, with suggestions for him to be nominated for Young Australian of the Year or pursue a career in special forces.
