A seventeen-year-old boy has been found alive after surviving six days lost in dense Victorian bushland, prompting an emotional reunion with his family and a quip from his mother that he is “grounded for life,” according to DW.com.
The teenager, identified in reports as William, was located on Thursday morning during an aerial police search near Walhalla, approximately 130 to 180 kilometres east of Melbourne, as detailed by ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation, SMH.com.au, and The Guardian.
William was discovered resting in a dry riverbed and creek area by the Victoria Police Air Wing, which spotted a fishing tackle box in the rugged terrain before locating the teenager, according to The Times of India.
Flight officers were winched down to the site to retrieve him, and he was subsequently taken to Latrobe Regional Hospital for monitoring, accompanied by his mother, Elizabeth Barkley, as reported by ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The Disappearance and Days in the Bush
The ordeal began on Friday, November 6, when William went missing while on a weekend camping trip with another teenager at Walhalla East, as stated by ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation and The Guardian.
According to accounts provided by his mother to media outlets, William had walked a short distance back toward a drop-off location to retrieve further camping equipment, missed a turn-off, and subsequently slid down a gap in a cliff after missing his footing, leaving him unable to move due to sore legs & ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The search for missing teenager William is continuing for a fourth day near Cowwarr Weir. Specialist police units and SES members remain involved in the search. Anyone with information about William's whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. pic.twitter.com/D5KxSFCFSX
— Post by @VictoriaPolice on X
“I was just so happy, and then when he said 'I love you Mum', that just melted my heart,” his mother told ACA.
When he failed to return, his camping companion searched the surrounding area but could find no trace of him, prompting a missing person report The Guardian. William had left his mobile phone, adequate food, and drinking water behind, according to The Times of India.
During his time stranded in shorts and work boots, he survived by drinking water from a nearby stream, rationing a family-sized packet of chicken-flavored potato chips for approximately two days, and using towels and a pillow to keep warm through freezing nights, as detailed by The Times of India.
Unable to traverse the steep and challenging surroundings, he remained near the creek for the final two days waiting for help, according to The Times of India.
Emergency Services Searched Dense Bushland for Six Days
The disappearance triggered a massive six-day search involving hundreds of emergency service personnel, including police divers, the dog squad, water police, the State Emergency Service (SES), Bush Search and Rescue volunteers, and more than 80 volunteers scouring the dense bushland each day, according to ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation and SMH.com.au.
Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said that the search area was beyond human capabilities on foot due to its extreme steepness, making the aerial discovery a career highlight ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Upon being rescued, William was found to be exhausted, unable to walk, and suffering from cuts on his legs alongside severe sunburn to his upper body and face, but was generally in good spirits and health, according to ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation and DW.com.
Latrobe Regional Hospital chief executive Don McRae described the teenager’s physical condition as extraordinary given the circumstances, attributing his survival in part to his youth and fitness ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Hospital officials said that, all going well, William could potentially be discharged as early as the following day ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
