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Quindalup, Western Australia — A 13-year-old boy has been hailed a hero after swimming approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) through choppy, shark-frequented waters for four hours to raise the alarm when his mother and two younger siblings were swept out to sea off Geographe Bay, authorities and family members said.

Austin Appelbee, a Year 9 student from Western Australia, was on a family holiday in Quindalup — about 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Perth — when strong afternoon winds on Friday pushed their inflatable paddleboards and kayak far offshore from the beach near Dunsborough. What began as a leisurely outing quickly turned perilous as the family found themselves stranded more than 4 kilometers from shore with no means of communication or immediate rescue.

Austin’s mother, Joanne Appelbee, 47, asked her son to attempt paddling back to land on his kayak to seek help. But as rough seas battered the vessel, it began taking on water, forcing the teenager to abandon it and enter the ocean. Clinging to determination, Austin swam the remaining distance, initially wearing a life jacket for the first two hours before ditching it to swim more efficiently.

“I just kept swimming,” Austin told ABC News in an interview after the ordeal. “I did breaststroke, freestyle, survival backstroke — whatever worked.” He credited prayer and sheer willpower for getting him through the fading light and cold conditions. “I didn’t know if Mum and the kids were still alive when I reached shore,” he added. “I just did what I had to do.”

Upon reaching land around 6 p.m. local time, exhausted but resolute, Austin ran an additional 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) to the family’s accommodation. Using his mother’s phone, he called emergency services. His detailed description of the family’s last known position enabled rescuers to launch a coordinated search involving marine police, volunteer vessels, and a helicopter.

The effort paid off: Joanne, 12-year-old brother Beau, and 8-year-old sister Grace were located clinging to the paddleboards after spending up to 10 hours in the water. All three were rescued unharmed but suffering from exposure and fatigue. They were treated at a local hospital and released the following day.

South West District Superintendent Paul Bresland described Austin’s actions as “superhuman.” “The boy showed incredible endurance and courage,” Bresland said. “Swimming that distance in those conditions — rough seas, low visibility, potential marine hazards — is an amazing feat for anyone, let alone a 13-year-old.”

Experts weighing in on the incident noted factors that likely aided Austin’s survival. Saltwater buoyancy, a mix of swimming strokes including survival backstroke (which conserves energy), and mental resilience played key roles, according to swimming instructors and survival specialists quoted in The Guardian. The teenager’s decision to remove the life jacket midway — counterintuitive but allowing freer movement — demonstrated practical thinking under pressure.

The family had been enjoying a holiday paddle when sudden wind changes created a swift offshore current. Geographe Bay, known for its scenic beauty and popularity with families, can turn treacherous with shifting weather. Marine authorities have long warned of the risks associated with inflatable craft in open water, especially without tethers or proper safety gear.

Austin’s story quickly spread across social media and news outlets, with many drawing parallels to other tales of youthful heroism. Online comments praised his quick thinking, with some noting ironically that he had reportedly failed a school swimming test just weeks earlier — a reminder that formal assessments don’t capture real-world capability.

The incident has renewed calls for water safety awareness in Western Australia. Surf Life Saving WA and local councils emphasized the importance of life jackets, weather checks, and avoiding inflatables in unprotected areas. “Even calm days can change fast,” a spokesperson said. “This family’s ordeal shows how quickly things can escalate — and how one person’s bravery can make all the difference.”

Austin, speaking modestly to the BBC, downplayed his role. “I don’t think I’m a hero,” he said. “I just did what needed to be done to get help for my family.” His mother expressed profound gratitude, describing the moment rescuers arrived as overwhelming relief after hours of uncertainty.

The Appelbee family is now recovering at home, with Austin returning to school amid newfound local fame. Authorities have launched a WorkSafe investigation into the incident, focusing on equipment and conditions, though no foul play or negligence has been suggested.

In a region where the ocean is both a playground and a peril, Austin’s swim stands as a testament to courage under extreme duress. His actions not only saved his loved ones but reminded the community of the unbreakable bonds that drive people to extraordinary lengths.

As the Appelbees reunite and reflect, their story serves as inspiration — and a cautionary tale — for families enjoying Western Australia’s stunning coastline.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Plainfield, Illinois — A 9-year-old boy from suburban Chicago is recovering from second-degree burns to his face and hands after microwaving a popular gel-filled sensory toy in a viral social media trend that has sent multiple children to hospitals, his mother and medical officials said Wednesday.

Caleb Chabolla was getting ready for school on Jan. 20 when he placed a NeeDoh Nice Cube — a squishy, stress-relief toy filled with gel — into the microwave, following a TikTok video suggesting the heating would make it softer and more pliable. Within seconds, the toy exploded, splattering hot gel across the right side of his face and his hands.

“He was crying and just yelling, ‘It burns, it burns,’” his mother, Whitney Grubb, told WGN-TV and other outlets. “The right side of his face was kind of melting off, basically.” Grubb rushed Caleb to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed second-degree burns requiring specialized care.

Caleb was transferred to Loyola Medicine’s Burn Center in Maywood, where he received treatment including wound care and pain management. He was released after several days and is now healing at home, though the burns left visible scarring and required ongoing follow-up.

Loyola Medicine issued an urgent warning, noting that Caleb is the fourth child the center has treated this year for similar injuries from the same trend. The NeeDoh Nice Cube, marketed as a safe, non-toxic sensory toy for squeezing and fidgeting, carries no microwave-safe instructions and is not designed for heating.

“The toy itself isn’t the problem — it’s the dangerous trend pushing kids to heat it,” Grubb said in interviews with CBS Chicago and ABC7. She stressed that she had repeatedly warned her son about microwave dangers but that peer influence from school friends sharing the videos overrode caution.

TikTok videos demonstrating the “NeeDoh microwave hack” show users briefly heating the cubes to restore pliability after they firm up over time. Some clips gain thousands of views, with creators demonstrating the process without safety warnings. Health experts say microwaving gel-filled items can cause superheating, leading to explosive bursts when disturbed.

Burn specialists at Loyola and other facilities have seen a rise in such cases, echoing past viral challenges like the “fire challenge” or “deodorant challenge” that have caused serious injuries. In January 2026 alone, Chicago-area hospitals reported teen burns from lighting hands on fire with sanitizer, but the NeeDoh trend targets younger children with seemingly innocuous toys.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about social media’s influence on child safety. Platforms like TikTok use algorithms that amplify trending content, often without age-appropriate filters or prominent hazard labels. Parents and educators have called for stricter content moderation and parental controls.

Grubb shared her story to prevent repeats. “I never thought a simple toy could do this,” she told reporters. “Parents need to talk to their kids about what they see online — and supervise more closely.” She urged families to keep microwaves inaccessible to young children unsupervised and to discard any videos promoting unsafe experiments.

Caleb, described by his mother as energetic and kind, has shown resilience during recovery. “He’s doing better every day,” Grubb said. “But the scars will remind us forever.”

Loyola Medicine’s burn team emphasized education over blame. “These are preventable injuries,” a spokesperson said. “We see the consequences when curiosity meets misinformation online.”

The NeeDoh brand, produced by Schylling Toys, has not issued a formal statement on the trend but packaging clearly advises against heating. Similar gel toys have faced scrutiny in the past for microwave misuse.

Child safety advocates renewed calls for platforms to demonetize or remove dangerous challenge videos. TikTok’s community guidelines prohibit content encouraging harmful behavior, but enforcement relies on reports and AI detection.

For Caleb’s family, the ordeal serves as a stark lesson. Grubb hopes sharing their experience sparks conversations in homes nationwide about balancing screen time with real-world caution.

As Caleb heals, his mother remains vigilant. “No trend is worth this pain,” she said. “Talk to your kids — before something explodes.”

The case adds to a growing list of social media-related injuries prompting parental awareness campaigns and calls for legislative oversight of youth-targeted content.

Peter Jones has added the American Golf chain to his growing business empire, snapping up the UK’s largest golf retailer in a deal that marks a new chapter for the loss-making brand.

The Dragons’ Den investor, a keen golfer who is said to play off a handicap of eight, has agreed to acquire American Golf from private equity group Endless, which has owned the business since 2018. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Founded in 1978, American Golf operates more than 80 stores across the UK and employs over 1,000 staff. The retailer sells clubs, equipment, clothing and footwear from leading brands including TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist and Nike, and generates annual revenues of around £135 million.

Despite its scale, the business has struggled to return to profitability, posting losses of £5 million last year following a £5.5 million loss the previous year. Jones is understood to see significant potential in strengthening the chain’s digital and online offering as part of a wider turnaround strategy.

Jones, whose portfolio also includes the Jessops camera chain, said the acquisition had personal as well as commercial appeal. “Golf has always been a personal passion of mine, so acquiring American Golf feels especially meaningful,” he said. “It’s a brand that truly understands golfers, from beginners to seasoned players, and has played an important role in the UK golf community for decades.”

American Golf’s chief executive, Nigel Oddy, said the deal would support the company’s long-term growth ambitions. “Joining forces with Peter Jones marks an exciting new chapter for American Golf,” he said. “It will enable us to continue to accelerate our growth strategy and further our ambition of becoming the ultimate one-stop destination for everything a golfer requires.”

Oddy also thanked Endless for its backing over the past eight years, during which time the private equity firm invested in modernising stores and supporting the brand through a challenging retail environment.

David Isaacs, managing director at Endless, said: “We are incredibly proud of American Golf’s evolution during our ownership and to see it go from strength to strength with a clear trajectory for future growth under Peter’s stewardship.”

The deal underscores Jones’s continued appetite for well-known but underperforming consumer brands, particularly those with strong communities and opportunities to scale online.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.