We Must Have a Aircraft to Search For Them’: Teenager’s Emergency Call to Aid Loved Ones Stranded Off Down Under Coast Disclosed

“We got lost out there,” a 13-year-old boy tells the triple-zero dispatcher, following a swim 2.5 miles in rough, open ocean and jogging 1.25 miles to summon rescue for his household.

The operator questions how much time has gone by since he started out.

“[It] was quite some time back … I think they’re a long way from land. I think we require a helicopter to search for them,” he says.

Police have made public the emergency phone call made in recent weeks after the teen left his family drifting at sea off the WA coast to fetch help.

His voice remains clear and calm, even as he details his concern for his family members.

“I am unsure of what their state is right now, and I’m extremely frightened,” he informs the dispatcher.

“Mum said go get help … We were in serious danger.”

The Perilous Situation

The holidaymakers had been swept 4km out to sea in stormy conditions while enjoying water sports.

His parent asked him to use his craft and locate rescue, so the teenager commenced, discarding first his failing kayak then his cumbersome lifejacket to swim the distance.

After getting to the beach – four hours later – he raced for 2km to get to a phone.

“Hello, my name is Austin … I have a brother and sister, Beau and Grace. Beau is 12 and Grace is eight,” he states the emergency services.

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

A Getaway in Peril

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

The woman later described that they were playing around when the children “drifted further than intended”. The conditions worsened, they were separated from their equipment, and started being carried out.

“It kind of all went wrong very, very quickly,” she noted.

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

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

The Rescue Effort

The teenager recalled being “completely out of breath”.

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

The emergency call was made at approximately 6pm.

At roughly 8.30pm, many hours after they first set out, the group were found and brought to safety. They had floated about fourteen kilometres out to sea.

The recording was shared with the mother’s permission.

A senior officer who managed the rescue mission said the family was in an “desperately dangerous position”.

“They were in real trouble, and time was absolutely critical given how much time they had been in the water and with light running out.

“What the teenager did was incredibly brave. His bravery and courage in those conditions were remarkable, and his actions were pivotal in bringing about a rescue.”

The officer also highlighted how the teenager calmly conveyed critical information.

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

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