We Require a Helicopter to Locate Them’: 13-Year-Old’s Distress Call to Aid Loved Ones Stranded Off Australian Coast Unveiled

“We got lost out there,” a 13-year-old boy informs the emergency operator, following a swim four kilometres in treacherous, open water and sprinting two kilometres to get assistance for his family.

The dispatcher asks how long has elapsed since he set off.

“[It] was quite some time back … I think they’re far offshore. I think we need a chopper to search for them,” he states.

Authorities have disclosed the emergency phone call made previously after the boy left his family floating at sea off the West Australian coast to find rescuers.

His tone remains lucid and collected, even as he expresses his concern for his family.

“I don’t know what their condition is right now, and I’m really scared,” he informs the dispatcher.

“Mum said to seek assistance … We were in massive trouble.”

The Perilous Situation

The family group had been pulled 2.5 miles out to sea in treacherous conditions while using kayaks and paddleboards.

His parent instructed him to use his craft and locate rescue, so the boy set off, abandoning first his waterlogged vessel then his bulky flotation device to swim the distance.

After reaching land – four hours later – he sprinted for two kilometres to get to a phone.

“Hello, my name is Austin … I have younger siblings, Beau and Grace. Beau is 12 and Grace is eight,” he tells the operator.

“I’m located on the beach right now, and I have to also mention – I think I need an ambulance because I think I have exposure … I’m really, I’m extremely tired. I have heatstroke, and I feel like I’m about to faint.”

A Holiday Turned Crisis

The holidaymakers was on holiday in Quindalup, 200km south of Perth. They began their trip from Geographe Bay around 10am on a Friday in late January.

The mother later described that they were enjoying themselves when the children “drifted further than intended”. The conditions worsened, they lost their oars, and started drifting.

“It kind of all turned bad very, very quickly,” she noted.

The parent also referenced having to make “an incredibly tough choice” to instruct her son to make the swim for help.

“I knew he was the most capable and he could do it,” she stated.

The Successful Mission

The teenager described being “completely out of breath”.

“I just keep swimming, I do breaststroke, I do freestyle, I do elementary backstroke,” he said.

The call for help was made at approximately 6pm.

At about 8.30pm, a full ten hours after they first began, the stranded individuals were spotted and rescued. They had floated about 14km out to sea.

The audio was made public with the mother’s permission.

A police sergeant who coordinated the search and rescue effort said the family was in an “desperately dangerous position”.

“They were in genuine danger, and time was extremely pressing given how long they had been in the water and with daylight fading.

“What Austin did was nothing short of extraordinary. His bravery and courage in those conditions were exceptional, and his actions were instrumental in bringing about a positive result.”

The commander also highlighted how the youth clearly relayed critical information.

When asked to detail the equipment for the authorities, the youth said: “They were coloured green and white.”

“And I’m not sure if it’s there, but they had this fishing line, and there was a fish on there. Since we managed to catch a fish.”