MELBOURNE — A 17-year-old boy with autism was rescued alive on Thursday after spending six days lost in wooded terrain in eastern Australia. Police said the teen, identified only as William, had been camping with a friend when he went missing last Friday near the town of Walhalla, located 185 kilometres east of Melbourne. A helicopter crew found him asleep on a flat rock next to a creek in a remote area. He was reunited with his mother and was reported to be in good spirits and generally good health before being taken to a hospital for observation.
Footage from the rescue showed William was shirtless and had signs of sunburn. He was wearing shorts and boots and had used towels as blankets. His mother, Elizabeth, expressed her relief to reporters, though her family name was withheld to protect her son's identity. "I'm just over the moon that he's alive," she said. "And he's never leaving the house again. He's grounded for life. He's not going anywhere ever again," she added jokingly. The search operation involved over 100 police, emergency workers and volunteers.
How did William get separated from his friend?
William's mother had driven him and a friend to a campsite for a weekend trip last Friday. According to police, William left the campsite briefly to walk back to the drop-off point to retrieve more gear. He never returned to his friend at the campsite. Acting Police Inspector Jason Benbow said that after becoming lost, the teen walked for days through "some very steep terrain." He spent his final two days trapped near a creek by the steep landscape, approximately two kilometres from where he had been camping.
What happened during the rescue?
The rescue was carried out by a police helicopter crew that located William in the bush. Benbow described the moment of discovery. "He woke up to the sound of the helicopter, gave them a thumbs up and they winched him to safety," the inspector told reporters. The crew found him lying asleep on a rock beside a creek. He was winched aboard the aircraft and later reunited with his mother during the flight. Following the rescue, William was transported to a hospital so doctors could monitor his condition.
What does Level 2 autism mean?
William's family stated that he has Level 2 autism. The Australian advocacy group Autism360 notes this classification means a person requires "substantial support." Individuals with this level of autism may exhibit significant difficulties with verbal and non-verbal social communication. They often depend heavily on routines and predictable activities, and disruptions to these routines can lead to considerable distress. This context shows the potential challenges William faced during his unexpected ordeal in the wilderness.
What conditions did the search teams face?
The search took place over six days in an alpine region known for its steep and wooded landscape. Authorities deployed a large team of more than 100 personnel from emergency services and volunteer groups to comb the area. Benbow noted the challenging nature of the terrain William had handled. Weather conditions during the Southern Hemisphere spring were mild, with little rainfall over the week he was missing, which may have aided his survival. The successful aerial search culminated in the helicopter crew's discovery of the teen beside the creek.