‘We Need a Chopper to Locate Them’: 13-Year-Old’s Emergency Call to Aid Loved Ones Adrift Off Down Under Coast Unveiled

“We became disoriented out there,” the teenager informs the emergency operator, after swimming 2.5 miles in rough, open water and sprinting two kilometres to summon rescue for his family.

The call taker inquires how long has gone by since he set off.

“[It] was a very long time ago … I think they’re far offshore. I think we require a helicopter to search for them,” he says.

Authorities have disclosed the recorded plea made previously after the youth departed from his loved ones adrift at sea off the Western Australian coast to seek assistance.

His demeanour remains steady and composed, even as he voices his worry for his family.

“I have no idea about what their status is right now, and I’m terrified,” he confides in the operator.

“Mum said go get help … We were in grave peril.”

The Dangerous Incident

The family group had been carried four kilometres out to sea in stormy conditions while using kayaks and paddleboards.

His mum instructed him to take his kayak and get assistance, so the boy commenced, discarding first his sinking craft then his bulky flotation device to swim the distance.

After reaching land – following a four-hour swim – he raced for two kilometres to access a phone.

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

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

A Getaway in Peril

The group was on a break in Quindalup, 200km south of Perth. They set off from Geographe Bay around 10am on a Friday in late January.

The parent later described that they were enjoying themselves when the children “ventured out too far”. The conditions worsened, they lost their oars, and started floating away.

“It sort of all became dangerous very, very quickly,” she noted.

The mother also referenced having to make “a terribly difficult call” to instruct her son to swim ashore.

“I knew he was the best swimmer and he had the ability to succeed,” she said.

The Successful Mission

The teenager recalled being “completely out of breath”.

“I just pressed on, I do breaststroke, I do front crawl, I do elementary backstroke,” he recalled.

The emergency call was made at approximately 6pm.

At roughly 8.30pm, a full ten hours after they first began, the group were found and brought to safety. They had floated about 14km out to sea.

The audio was shared with the mother’s permission.

A forward commander who coordinated the rescue mission said the family was in an “desperately dangerous position”.

“They were in serious jeopardy, and time was extremely pressing given how long they had been in the water and with night approaching.

“What Austin did was incredibly brave. His bravery and courage in those conditions were astonishing, and his actions were crucial in bringing about a positive result.”

The commander also commended how the youth calmly conveyed key facts.

When asked to identify the paddleboards for the rescue team, the teenager said: “They were coloured green and white.”

“And I’m not sure if it’s still attached, but they had this fishing rod, and there was a fish on there. Because we hooked one.”