Late Late Show viewers left in tears over emotional family reunion

Late Late Show viewers were left in tears as the Irish grandmother of a boy who saved his family in Australia was reunited with the family.

Austin Appelbee, 13, swam for several hours to rescue his mum, younger brother and sister after they drifted 14km off the shore from Quindalup Beach in Western Australia.

After four hours of swimming, Austin managed to reach the shore, where he was able to call for help. His mum Joanne, younger brother Beau and sister Grace were all found alive and well.
Late Late Show viewers were left in tears as the Irish grandmother of a boy who saved his family in Australia were reunited. Pic: Late Late Show/Instagram
Joanne’s parents were in the audience during the final Late Late Show of the season.

When chatting to Joanne’s mum Doreen in the audience, host Patrick Kielty remarked that, since she wants to hug her daughter and grandkids, she’s waited a bit too long for that, before surprising her with the family, who flew in from Australia to say hello.

Doreen had a hilarious reaction when she found out what was happening — saying to Patrick: ‘oh f**k ya,’ before the family emerged from backstage for the emotional reunion.
Austin was hailed as a hero after he swam several kilometres to rescue his family, who had become lost at sea after they drifted from the shore. Pic: Late Late Show/Instagram

Joanne remarked that it was ‘really hard’ to keep the secret from her mum, saying that she spent ‘three days in Dublin and telling her that I was at work!’

Viewers were left in tears at the emotional reunion, particularly after Austin’s heroics, with one commenting: ‘Such a lovely and well deserved surprise x delighted for them x.’

‘Now I’m emotional. What an amazing young boy to save his family’s life that day. As an Irish person living in Oz, I’m very familiar with this story. Well done. What a reunion,’ another added, while another wrote: ‘Well done Austin. A great surprise for Nan and Grandad too.’

Joanne, Austin, Beau and Grace were out paddleboarding in the sea when the incident occurred, with the family drifting out several nautical miles and losing their oars, meaning they were unable to paddle back.

Austin eventually said that he’d use a kayak to get back to the shore, but as the kayak was severely damaged, he ended up swimming the final 4km back to shore to raise the alarm.

After nearly 10 hours at sea, the rest of the family were found safe and sound, with Joanne admitting: ‘I had assumed Austin hadn’t made it.

‘It was an absolute perfect ending to have them all well and happy and sore but no injuries,’ she added to the BBC.