'They're all heroes'... Meath-based uncle's pride after Australian nephew swam four kilometres to save family

Louise Walsh

The Meath-based uncle of the teenager who saved his family by swimming against all odds in a miraculous rescue in western Australia has revealed his pride in all of them.

Austin Appelby (13) swam shark-infested waters and ran a further two kilometers to get help for his mother and two siblings who were washed out to sea by high winds and choppy waters while out on kayaks and paddle boards during a family holiday.

Gran Doreen Cunningham believes her daughter Joanne Appelbee and grandchildren Beau (12) and Grace (8) would not have survived another thirty minutes but for the amazing feat of grandchild Austin (13) who swam for four hours and ran another two kilometers to get help to save his family.

Doreen (80) who lives in Magheracloone, Carrickmacross with her husband Patrick said they were awake since they got the news last Saturday.

"I haven't slept since Saturday when Joanne left the hospital and rang me to tell me the story," she said.

"Loads of things were going through my head. I was picturing myself in that situation and wondering what I'd do. Thank God, they got saved.

"Austin is a very quiet and good child and he offered to go for help. He kept telling his mother that he would make it and get them all help."

She said that Austin was trying to paddle using his hands but the waves kept pushing him back and he was getting nowhere.

He then started swimming, first pulling his life jacket partly off him to aid his swimming and then he removed it altogether as he felt it was slowing him down.

"I'm so proud of them all. I last saw them when I visited Australia in November two years ago and I'll be seeing them again soon one way or another, whether they come to Ireland or we go out to see them."

"They are all heroes."

Doreen has four children, two sons who live in Monaghan and Meath and another girl who lives in west Cork. "Both my daughters went west," she laughed.

Joanne's brother Donal who lives in Trim added his pride of his sister and his niece and nephews.

"I think my mam has said it all but we are so proud of Austin. What a hardy young man and a hero. We are actually incredibly proud of them all. What it also must have taken for Joanne to keep Beau and Grace calm and positive in those cold waters when minutes must have seemed like hours is incredible.

Joanne has lived in Australia for 22 years with the three children and her husband Justin.

Doreen said lessons have to be learned in the aftermath of the rescue.

"These crafts should have some sort of emergency button or way to raise the alarm if needed. There definitely should've been something to help them be rescued faster.

"We are all relieved, happy and annoyed at the same time here."

Meanwhile, former English teacher of Joanne's at St Louis post-primary school in Carrickmacross, Art Agnew said, "I remember that if Joanne had a mission, she would see it through."