NEW: 13-year-old Australian boy swims for four hours in cold and dangerous waters to save his mom and siblings who were swept into the ocean, says God is who got him to shore.
The family was on kayaks & paddleboards when they were swept about 2.5 miles out to sea.
After a conversation with his mother, Austin Appelbee decided he would swim back to shore to find help.
Appelbee says he prayed throughout the four-hour swim and told God he would get baptized if he made it out alive.
"I don't think it was actually me [swimming]... It was God the whole time. I kept on praying, kept on praying. I said to God, 'I'll get baptized.'"
"The waves are massive, and I have no life jacket on… I just kept thinking 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming,'" he said.
"And then I finally made it to shore, and I hit the bottom of the beach, and I just collapsed."
Appelbee says when he got to shore, he had to sprint for about a mile to find help.
According to AP, the family drifted 9 miles from Quindalup and spent 10 hours in the water.
When he reached the shore, Appelbee alerted authorities, who then sent out a helicopter to find his mom, 12-year-old brother, and 8-year-old sister.
Austin's mother, Joanne Appelbee, said one of the hardest decisions of her life was sending her son to shore.
"One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was to say to Austin: 'Try and get to shore and get some help. This could get really serious really quickly,'" she said.
What a remarkable kid.
Video: 7 News.
Here's how we will crown a national champion January 1st while saving bowl season and fixing the recruiting/portal calendar issue
From the desk of the future CFB Commissioner...
Kalen DeBoer is now 20-5 vs. nationally ranked teams as an FBS head coach. He’s 8-3 at Alabama. He’s also 4-0 against AP top 10 teams in true road games.
“Sure I’d like to beat Notre Dame, don’t get me wrong. But nothing matters more than beating that cow college on the other side of the state.” - Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant
"When history looks back on Nick Saban, the rings will shine bright and the records will impress. But the truest measure of his greatness will be the lives he touched.
He made his players better men.
He gave coaches second chances.
He made his city stronger.
And he reminded all of us that true greatness isn’t just found under bright lights on a Saturday night. It’s found in how we serve and help others when the cameras are off.
That’s the legacy of Nick Saban, and it’s one that will outlast every championship banner hanging in Bryant–Denny Stadium.
Because greatness isn’t just about how much you win.
It’s about how much you give.
And Nick Saban… well, he gave it all.
Time and time again.
Championship after championship.
Player after player.
And that’s why he’ll always be the GOAT.
Roll Tide."
https://t.co/jG1ebqpOaX
From anticipation to celebration, this is the reveal that changed everything!
Anilkumar Bolla takes home AED 100 Million! A Lucky Day we’ll never forget. 🏆
For Anilkumar, Oct. 18 wasn’t just another day, it was the day that changed everything.
A life transformed, and a reminder of what happens when you #DareToImagine.
Congratulations, Anilkumar! 🎉
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For the first time at Alabama, Kalen DeBoer's team had fewer penalties than the opposition.
PENALTIES:
Alabama - 4 for 16 yards
Georgia - 6 for 68 yards