A 17-year-old boy with autism was rescued by a Victoria Police helicopter crew on Wednesday after surviving six days lost in the Australian wilderness near Walhalla.
The teenager, identified as William, was located on rocks near a stream, where he signaled to the aircraft before being airlifted to a hospital for monitoring.
The rescue marks a rare, positive conclusion to a search operation that gripped the region, with aerial footage capturing the moment the teen realized help had arrived. While the ordeal in the bush was harrowing, authorities confirmed that the boy remained in surprisingly good health throughout his time missing.
- William was discovered six days after he went missing while camping with a friend.
- The teenager was found shirtless, suffering from a severe sunburn, but otherwise in good spirits.
- Victoria Police confirmed the teen was airlifted from the site after being stabilized by rescue personnel.
Victoria Police released dramatic footage showing the final moments of the search, where the helicopter crew spotted the teen resting under a blanket on a rocky outcrop. Upon identifying the aircraft, William was seen pumping his fists in the air, a gesture of relief that signaled his awareness of the rescue effort.
The teenager, who had been camping with a friend before he became separated, was visibly suffering from the elements. His skin appeared beat-red from prolonged sun exposure, a detail captured by the high-definition cameras mounted to the police chopper. Rescuers descended to assist him, providing towels to protect him from further exposure before securing him in rigging for the extraction.
“Amazingly, William is in good spirits and for the most part, in good health. He was taken to hospital for monitoring,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
He’s grounded for life.
| Status | Details |
|---|---|
| Days Missing | 6 |
| Location | Walhalla, Australia |
| Health Status | Stable/Monitoring |
The rescue concludes a high-stakes search that used many emergency resources to track the teen through the rugged terrain. As William continues his recovery in the hospital, the focus remains on his transition back to his family following the six-day ordeal.
Earlier coverage: Teen with Autism Found Alive After Six Days Lost in Australian Bushland
