13-Year-Old Hero Swims Through Waves for 4 Hours Seeking Help

International media reported on February 4th about a 13-year-old boy hailed as a hero after swimming through rough waves for several hours to seek help for his mother and two siblings who were swept out to sea off the coast of Western Australia. The incident occurred in late January when a family was using paddle boards and kayaking in Geograph Bay in southern Western Australia. Sudden strong winds blew away all their inflatable equipment. The 13-year-old tried to paddle back to shore to report the incident, but water entered the kayak, forcing him to swim approximately 4 kilometers through strong waves and fading light. Rescue volunteers described his bravery as superhuman and amazing, noting that he swam the first two hours wearing a life jacket before removing it, believing it was hindering his progress. The boy successfully reached the shore and alerted authorities, leading to a massive search operation near Quindalup Beach near Busselton. A rescue helicopter later found his 47-year-old mother and two siblings (a 12-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter) floating about 14 kilometers offshore, clinging to a paddle board. All were safely rescued and later released from medical examination.