A 17-year-old boy has been found alive after almost a week lost in dense Australian bushland. The Police AirWing spotted him on Thursday morning, The Guardian reported. He was lying in a creek near Walhalla, about 185km east of Melbourne. Police have released only his first name, William.
Officers were winched down to reach him. Rescuers gave him a doughnut and a bottle of water, the BBC reported. They then took him to hospital for a check-up. He was still wearing the clothes he disappeared in: shorts and work boots.
William went missing on November 6, during a weekend camping trip with a friend. His mother had dropped the two boys off, according to The Guardian. He is believed to have walked a short way back to the drop-off point to fetch more camping gear. He never returned. His friend searched the area but found no trace of him. Police said he was last seen near Stoney Creek Road, between Cowwarr and Walhalla, at about 4pm that day. He had left his phone, food and water behind.
The search lasted six days. Police dogs, divers, helicopters and rescue squads combed the bush. Very cold overnight temperatures had worried the authorities, according to the BBC. On Wednesday, investigators appealed to hunters, campers and landowners for information. They did so after finding a hunting camera in the search area.
A video captured the moment William's mother, Elizabeth Barkley, first saw her son sitting inside the police helicopter. He appeared to smile before hugging her. She told reporters she was "over the moon" and that he had "only a few scratches". She said he had stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued. His family said he was uninjured but "grounded for life".
Police said officers were emotional to find the teenager alive. Victoria Police Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said such outcomes do not happen all the time. He added that William surely had a story to tell and that police were keen to hear it.