The Western Australia Police Force has released the emergency triple zero phone call made by 13-year-old Austin APPELBEE, whose calm, clear communication assisted emergency services to respond after he and his family were swept four kilometres out to sea in Geographe Bay near Quindalup, Friday 30 January 2026. Austin’s ability to think clearly under pressure demonstrates the type of composure that greatly assists first responders during emergencies.
About 6.00pm, police received a report from Austin that he, his mother Joanne, and his two siblings, 12-year-old Beau and 8-year-old Grace, had all been swept out to sea in rough conditions while kayaking and paddle boarding. Austin made the courageous decision to return to shore in fading light and deteriorating conditions. After his kayak began taking on water, he was forced to abandon his craft and swim approximately four kilometres. He removed his lifejacket after realising it was hindering his efforts to successfully reach the shore. Once on shore, Austin ran a further two kilometres along the beach before reaching a mobile phone where he was able to call for help.
A multi-agency search and rescue response was coordinated by the Water Police Coordination Centre in North Fremantle, with oversight from the South West District Office. Officers from Dunsborough and Margaret River Police Stations were supported by local volunteer marine sea rescue, the RAC Rescue helicopter and an Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) aircraft.
About 8.30pm, ten hours after they had entered the water, Joanne, Grace and Beau were located by an aircraft clinging to a paddleboard. A volunteer marine rescue vessel attended the scene and brought all three safely back to shore. They were conveyed by St John WA paramedics to Busselton Health Campus for medical assessment and have since been released without serious injury.
In a rare step and with permission from Austin’s mother, the WA Police Force released Austin’s emergency phone call during the first episode of Operation Podcast, a new podcast taking listeners behind the scenes of WA Police Force.
For Police Forward Commander Acting Sergeant Andrew MCDONNELL, who coordinated the search and rescue effort, the incident showed how Western Australia’s coastline can be beautiful, but treacherous.
As a former constable with the Metropolitan Police Service, the international transitional police officer traded walking the beat for walking the beach and now spends his days policing in the State’s iconic South West.
“The situation the Appelbee family found themselves in was extremely dire. They were in real trouble, and time was absolutely critical 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 remarkable, and his actions were pivotal in bringing about a successful outcome.
“By getting himself to safety and relaying critical information, he helped enable a coordinated response involving WA Police, local Marine Rescue volunteers and St John Ambulance — all people who live in and serve this community, many of whom do so as volunteers.
“This incident showed the strength of the South West community, where volunteers and emergency services work seamlessly together. It’s a privilege to police in a place where people genuinely look out for one another.”
Although Austin is currently too young to join the WA Police Force, his composure and ability to make critical decisions in an emergency situation reflect the qualities the agency seeks in its future recruits, and the WA Police Force hopes to join forces with him in the future. The way he calmly communicated during the triple zero call further demonstrates how clear and accurate information can greatly assist first responders.
The WA Police Force encourages anyone who recognises these qualities in themselves, including existing police officers from interstate, the UK, Republic of Ireland or New Zealand, to join forces with us. Visit www.letsjoinforces.wa.gov.au for more information.
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