Seventeen-year-old William, whose surname has not been released, was found alive on Friday morning after six days in dense Australian bushland. He went missing the previous Friday while camping with a friend in bushland approximately 180km east of Melbourne in the state of Victoria.
The search for the teenager lasted days, involving police dogs, divers and helicopters. Authorities were particularly concerned for the boy’s welfare due to the extremely low overnight temperatures in the area.
Rescue teams extracted William to safety using a winch, after which they fed him a donut and gave him a bottle of water. He was taken to hospital for a check-up. His mother, Elizabeth Barkley, told reporters that the teenager had sustained only a few scratches and appeared capable and healthy.
“He is fine, everything seems to be okay, he is in perfect health,” Barkley said. “He simply stayed in one place and waited to be rescued, and I am overjoyed that he is alive.” She added jokingly: “He will never leave the house again.”
William was found unharmed but, as his family joked, has been “sentenced to life in house arrest.” After being found, he was reunited with his family, who were relieved of their worry.
Police said officers were emotionally moved to find the teenager alive. “It does not happen every time,” said Acting Victorian Police Inspector Jason Benbow. “I am sure he will tell us his story soon, which we are eager to hear,” he added.
