A 17-year-old boy has been found alive after surviving six days lost in dense Victorian bushland.
The teenager, identified by police only as William, was discovered on Thursday morning in a remote area roughly 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Melbourne.
The teenager had been reported missing last Friday after disappearing during a camping trip near Walhalla. The intensive search operation, which spanned nearly a week, involved more than 100 emergency personnel and volunteers, utilizing police divers, the dog squad, and aerial support to navigate the rugged terrain, according to ABC News.
William, who family members confirmed has Level 2 autism, was located by a police helicopter crew while sleeping on a flat rock in a dry riverbed. Rescuers winched the teen to safety after he signaled the aircraft. Acting Inspector Benbow added, “It doesn’t happen all the time,” and “I’m sure he’s got a story to tell us soon, which we’re very keen to hear.”
The teen’s mother, Elizabeth, expressed immense relief following the reunion. “I’m just over the moon that he’s alive,” she told reporters. Joking about the ordeal, she added, “He’s never leaving the house again. He’s grounded for life.” Elizabeth Barkley told reporters the teenager had “only a few scratches” and seemed fit and healthy.
She also said, “He’s doing fine, everything seems to be fine, he’s in perfect health,” and added, “He just stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued and I’m just over the moon he’s alive.” William’s mother earlier fought back tears as she spoke to the media shortly after they had been reunited in Cowwarr, stating, “He’s never leaving the house again. He’s grounded for life,” and adding, “He’s not going anywhere ever again.”
Survival in the Gippsland Wilderness
Despite the challenging conditions, including freezing overnight temperatures, William managed to sustain himself using a family-sized bag of chicken chips and two towels for warmth. Authorities said that the teenager had trekked through extremely rocky and steep country before becoming trapped in the riverbed area, which was approximately two kilometers from his original campsite. He also had severe sunburn to his upper body and face.
He said that the teenager was in good spirits and communicative when he was finally reached by the rescue crew. Acting Inspector Benbow said, “Other than that, he’s talking to us, he’s happy, he’s smiling, he’s giving us an account of what’s happening and he’s hugging his mother and having a doughnut and water,” when describing the teen after the rescue.
Following his recovery, William was transported to Latrobe Regional Hospital for observation. Hospital CEO Don McRae said that the teen’s physical condition was better than expected, attributing his survival to his fitness, stating that it was “extraordinary to see him so well,” and adding, “He’s obviously a fit young man and I think that’s really held him in good stead.”
Medical Monitoring Continues as Search Efforts Persist
The teenager is expected to remain under observation, with the possibility of being discharged as early as Friday.
The extensive search effort, which drew in more than 80 volunteers daily, highlights the difficulties of locating individuals in the region’s dense bushland. Police have indicated that they are looking forward to hearing William’s full account of his six days in the wilderness once he has fully recovered from his ordeal.
