William, a 17-year-old with autism, has been found alive after spending six days lost in Australian bushland during a camping trip with friends.
The teenager, whose surname has not been released by authorities, was winched to safety on the morning of November 12 following an intensive search operation that deployed police dogs, divers, and helicopters across Victoria’s high country. Overnight temperatures had dropped to dangerous lows, heightening fears for his survival as the days stretched on.
Acting Inspector Jason Benbow of Victoria Police said the boy had trekked for days across punishing landscape before his rescue. “Amazingly, William is in good spirits and for the most part, in good health,” Benbow said in a statement. “It doesn’t happen all the time. I’m sure he’s got a story to tell us soon, which we’re very keen to hear.”
The officer explained how the breakthrough came: William “woke up to the sound of the helicopter, gave them a thumbs up and they winched him to safety.”
William’s mother, Elizabeth, had dropped him off with friends for what was supposed to be a routine weekend getaway. He walked a short distance from camp to retrieve some equipment and never returned. His friends searched frantically but could not locate him. For the entire six days, he had no mobile phone, no food, and no water.
Elizabeth spoke with reporters shortly after the rescue, her relief palpable. “He just stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued and I’m just over the moon he’s alive,” she said. “He’s alive! He is never leaving the house again. He is not going anywhere.”
The emotional reunion between mother and son was captured on camera inside the police helicopter as they flew him out of the bushland. Elizabeth described the discovery as a “miracle.”
In an interview with A Current Affair, Elizabeth revealed she had been making up for lost time with constant affection since his return. “Except for a bit of sunburn and scratches, like his legs are a bit sore from the scratches, he’s in a fighting spirit,” she shared. “I just can’t believe how well he’s handled being out there for so long.”
She also addressed whether doubt had ever crept in during the agonizing wait. “I had… Instinct or whatever, but I knew he was still alive. And I know that… I’m very strong person… And I knew in my heart that he was still alive,” she said.
Police noted that William has level two autism and requires substantial support, making his survival and resilience through the ordeal particularly remarkable. After being located, he was given a doughnut and water before being transported to hospital for assessment.
The search had consumed nearly a full week, with authorities growing increasingly concerned as each cold night passed in the remote Victorian terrain.