The mother of Year 9 student Austin Appelbee has revealed the harrowing final moments she endured in open water, admitting she had begun hallucinating from exhaustion just before her teenage son returned with help. Her account provides a chilling insight into the physical and psychological toll the family experienced during the now widely reported four-kilometre swim that saved their lives.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the ordeal, she described how the powerful current had dragged them further from shore than they initially realized. At first, she believed they would be able to manage the situation calmly. But as minutes turned into what felt like hours, the sea grew heavier beneath them. The shoreline appeared distant and unreachable.

“We tried to stay together. We tried to stay calm,” she recalled. “But the current was stronger than we thought.” With each passing minute, fatigue intensified. Supporting two younger children while treading water placed immense strain on her body. The waves were not towering, but they were relentless. The energy required simply to remain afloat steadily drained her strength.

When Austin made the decision to swim for help, she admits she felt both pride and fear. Watching her 14-year-old son disappear toward the horizon was one of the most difficult moments of her life. “I knew he was strong,” she said. “But he was still my child.” Once he was out of sight, uncertainty settled in.

As time stretched on, the physical symptoms worsened. Muscles cramped. Breathing became irregular. She described how the sunlight reflecting off the water began to distort her vision. “I started hallucinating,” she said quietly. “I thought I could see boats that weren’t there. I heard voices that weren’t real.” Medical professionals explain that prolonged physical stress, dehydration and panic can trigger temporary hallucinations in extreme conditions.

Despite her deteriorating state, she focused on keeping her younger children calm. She encouraged them to float on their backs and conserve energy. Internally, however, she began preparing for the possibility that help might not arrive in time. “I remember thinking, this can’t be how it ends,” she said.

Then, in what she describes as the most surreal moment of her life, she heard the distinct sound of a rescue vessel approaching. At first, she believed it was another hallucination. But as the engine noise grew louder and figures became visible against the glare, reality returned. Her son had made it.

Emergency crews later confirmed that Austin had reached shore and provided detailed information about their approximate location, allowing rescuers to narrow the search area quickly. Without that information, authorities say the outcome could have been drastically different.

Reflecting on the experience, she says the memory remains vivid and emotional. “When I found out he swam over four kilometres… I couldn’t process it. He just kept going.” The phrase has since become symbolic of the event — a simple description of an extraordinary act.

Health experts note that hallucinations during near-drowning incidents are not uncommon. Oxygen depletion, stress hormones and severe fatigue can distort perception. Survival in such circumstances often depends on mental resilience as much as physical strength.

The family has since returned home, physically recovering but still processing the trauma. Counseling support has been offered, and maritime authorities have reiterated warnings about rip currents and coastal conditions. The mother hopes their story will serve as both inspiration and caution.

“I’m alive because my son didn’t give up,” she said. “He kept swimming when I couldn’t even see clearly anymore.”