A 17-year-old who spent nearly a week missing in remote bushland was discovered by a police helicopter in a moment captured on video. When he realized rescuers had spotted him, the teenager raised his arms and pumped his fists in relief.
Police identified him only as William. He had been missing since November 6, after becoming separated from a friend while camping near Walhalla, around 80 miles east of Melbourne.
Search crews found him on the morning of November 12, sunburned, exhausted and scratched, but alive. He had survived on a family-size bag of potato chips and water from a creek.
His mother, Elizabeth Barkley, later described the news as a huge relief. She said she was overjoyed that her son had been found, though she joked that he would be grounded for life.
A camping trip turns into a search
William’s mother had dropped him near a campsite on Stony Creek Road in Walhalla East. He was meant to camp with a friend, but reportedly became lost after heading back toward the drop-off point to collect more equipment.
He had no phone and little food or water. After William failed to return, his friend raised the alarm, prompting a major search involving police, volunteers, search dogs, divers and aircraft.
The moment rescuers found him
The search took a promising turn when a team came across a tackle box about two kilometres from where William was last seen. Police Air Wing officers then spotted him near a creek, lying on a rock.
Video from the helicopter shows William reacting as the aircraft circled above him. Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said the teenager’s expression changed when he understood that rescuers had found him.
Benbow said the tackle box may have helped lead the searchers to William. The teen had not realized that people were looking for him and had no clear idea how he would get out of the area, the officer said.
How he made it through the ordeal
William had not been camping before and is reported to have Level 2 autism. During the search, he stayed in one area rather than travelling farther into unfamiliar terrain—a decision that may have helped rescuers locate him.
His mother said he drank from the creek and ate the chips over two days. He also had a couple of towels for warmth. At some point, he fell down a slope and suffered scratches and sore legs.
After he was found, rescuers gave him water and a doughnut before taking him to hospital for observation. Despite six nights outdoors and exposure to both cold and strong sun, he was reported to have only minor injuries and was in good spirits.
Barkley said the days of uncertainty had been frightening, and that she was overwhelmed when she learned her son was safe. She recalled telling him not to put her through another ordeal like this. Once he has recovered, she hopes to celebrate with a large McDonald’s meal.
For William’s family, the search ended with the news they had been praying for: he was coming home alive.