Police have found a missing teenager alive six days after he disappeared while camping in dense bushland in Victoria’s east.
Seventeen-year-old William, whose surname has not been released, disappeared on Friday while camping with a friend at Walhalla East, about 180 kilometres east of Melbourne.
He was last seen wearing shorts and work boots, having left his phone, food and water behind at a makeshift camp.
Authorities had been concerned for his welfare due to the frigid overnight temperatures in the region, with his disappearance sparking an intense six-day search, involving police divers, the dog squad and helicopters.
William was located this morning and reunited with his family.
His mother Elizabeth Barkley said the teenager was quite fit and healthy with “only a few scratches”.
“He’s doing fine, everything seems to be fine — he’s in perfect health,” Ms Barkley said.
“He just stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued and I’m just over the moon he’s alive.”
William’s mother Elizabeth broke down in tears while discussing her son’s disappearance. (ABC News)
William’s mother fought back tears as she spoke to the media shortly after they had been reunited in Cowwarr.
“He’s never leaving the house again. He’s grounded for life,” she said.
“He’s not going anywhere ever again. I’m just over the moon.”
Mother never gave up hope
More than 100 people joined the search for the 17-year-old over six days.
His mother never gave up on him being found alive, despite the fact William was missing wearing just a pair of boots and shorts.
“I knew in my heart he was still alive, I could feel it. I knew he wasn’t gone,” Ms Barkley said. “Thank god he’s such [a] fit person.”
The pair was reunited this morning when Ms Barkley happened to be at the police staging ground in Cowwarr.
“He said, ‘Hi mum’ and waved at me and was so happy to see me,” Ms Barkley said.
“The police helicopter found him. I’m just over the moon. I can’t thank everyone [enough]. It’s a miracle.
“You see these stories on TV and you don’t think it can happen to you, but when you do and you find them alive, it’s just … I can’t describe the words. I’m so happy, I can’t speak properly.
“I’ve been praying for this all week. To find him while I was out here, it was such a perfect … you couldn’t write the script any better.
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