Young hero’s five desperate words that sparked ocean rescue
By Jessica Page & Madelin Hayes
Five desperate words sparked a dramatic ocean rescue when Austin Appelbee told a triple-0 operator that “we got lost out there” and warned that his mother and siblings were stranded “kilometres out to sea”.
The triple-0 call that had a happy ending can now be revealed, days after the 13-year-old’s heroic tale sparked global headlines.
“My name’s Austin and I’m outside (inaudible) beach,” Austin said.“We went out on a kayak trip, a paddle board trip and we got took out to sea and we got lost out there. “I don’t know what time it was, but it was a very long time ago.
He told the operator he was “really scared” and didn’t know the fate of his mother Joanne and siblings Beau, aged 12, and Grace, aged eight.