Arabic version: العثور على مراهق حيّاً بعد ستة أيام في أحراش غيبسلاند

According to ABC News, police have found 17-year-old William alive six days after he disappeared while camping in dense bushland at Walhalla East, about 180 kilometres east of Melbourne. William, whose surname has not been released, was reunited with his mother before being taken to a local hospital for monitoring.

William disappeared on Friday while on a camping trip with a friend. He was last seen in shorts and work boots after leaving his phone, food and water at a makeshift camp. Authorities were concerned about frigid overnight temperatures as police divers, the dog squad, helicopters and more than 100 people joined the six-day search.

A police helicopter located him after spotting his fishing tackle box about 2 kilometres north-east of Stoney Creek. Victoria Police Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said the helicopter crew found William lying down and waving his arms. Officers winched him to safety and flew him to the police staging ground, where paramedics checked him. He ate a doughnut and drank water before going to hospital.

William’s mother, Elizabeth Barkley, said he was fit and healthy with only a few scratches. She said he had remained in one place and waited to be rescued. Barkley, who was at the staging ground in Cowwarr when the helicopter arrived, said she was overjoyed to see her son and thanked the volunteers who took part in the search.

Acting Inspector Benbow said police had not yet learned how William survived for so long without supplies or adequate clothing. He said officers were very happy to reunite the teenager with his mother and were keen to hear his account of the experience.