A 17-year-old boy has been found alive after spending six days lost in dense Australian bushland. The teenager, identified only as William, went missing last Friday during a camping trip with a friend approximately 180km (112 miles) east of Melbourne, Victoria.
A Multi-Day Search Operation
Authorities had expressed significant concern for the teenager’s welfare due to the extremely cold temperatures in the region overnight. The search effort was extensive, involving police dogs, divers, and helicopter units scouring the rugged terrain.
The search concluded on Thursday morning when the boy was located. Rescuers utilized a winch to reach him, providing him with a doughnut and water before transporting him to a hospital for a medical evaluation.
Family and Police Reaction
The teenager’s mother, Elizabeth Barkley, told reporters that her son appeared to be in good condition, noting he had “only a few scratches.” She expressed relief that he had remained in a single location while waiting for help to arrive. “He’s doing fine, everything seems to be fine, he’s in perfect health,” she said. In a lighthearted comment regarding his ordeal, she added that he was “grounded for life” and would “never leaving the house again.”
Victoria Police Acting Inspector Jason Benbow described the successful rescue as an emotional moment for the officers involved. “It doesn’t happen all the time,” Benbow stated. He noted that authorities are looking forward to hearing the teenager’s account of how he survived the six-day period in the wilderness.
The teenager has since been reunited with his family following his hospital check-up.
