Boy is Found After Almost a Week Lost in the Wild

A desperate six-day search for a missing 17-year-old boy in the Australian wilderness ended with an extraordinary discovery when a police helicopter spotted him lying on a rock beside a creek, sunburned, exhausted and barely able to walk.

William, a teenager with autism who had never been camping before, vanished on November 6 after wandering away from a campsite near Walhalla East in Victoria, Australia. With no cellphone, limited food and no reliable way to find his way back, he spent nearly a week alone in rugged bushland.

By the time rescuers found him Thursday, November 12, the teenager had survived on creek water and a family-sized bag of potato chips, using towels and a pillow to protect himself from the cold.

His remarkable survival came after days of mounting fears that he might not be found alive.

William had been dropped off by his mother, Elizabeth Barkley, around 4 p.m. on November 6 for a weekend camping trip with another teenager. Shortly afterward, he walked away from the campsite to retrieve additional equipment but became disoriented and lost his way.

According to his mother, William eventually fell down a steep slope, leaving him scratched, sore and struggling to move. Unable to find a safe route back, he settled near Stony Creek and waited for someone to find him.

For six days, police officers, search-and-rescue specialists, volunteers and emergency personnel combed the wilderness. Search dogs, mounted officers, divers and helicopters were deployed as crews battled difficult terrain and uncertainty over the teenager’s whereabouts.

Then came the breakthrough.

While searching an area approximately 1.2 miles from where William disappeared, a Victoria Police helicopter crew spotted a fishing tackle box among the vegetation.

When officers looked closer, they discovered William lying on a rock beside the creek in an area too difficult for ground crews to search.

The teenager was shirtless and sunburned, with towels wrapped around him for warmth.

Dramatic aerial footage captured the moment William realized help had finally arrived. He raised his hand toward his chest, waved and celebrated as the helicopter hovered above him.

Police officers were lowered to the creek and successfully lifted the teenager to safety.

Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said William was overjoyed when he realized he was being rescued, especially because he had never ridden in a helicopter before.

The teenager reportedly had no idea that such a massive search was underway or how he would escape the wilderness.

Despite spending nearly a week exposed to hot days and chilly nights, William was found in surprisingly good condition, suffering mainly from sunburn, scratches, sore legs and weight loss.

His mother later revealed that he had survived by drinking from the creek and rationing the little food he had.

The family-sized bag of Smith’s potato chips lasted just two days, leaving him with almost nothing to eat for the remainder of his ordeal.

But the most emotional moment came when William was reunited with his mother.

Barkley, who had spent six agonizing days praying for her son’s safe return, was waiting at the search command post when officers delivered the incredible news.

As William emerged from the helicopter, his mother rushed toward him, overwhelmed with relief.

“Oh, Mum, hey,” the teenager exclaimed as they embraced.

But after nearly a week of fear, Barkley also had a message for her son.

“Don’t ever do that again. You’re never leaving my sight again,” she told him, joking that he was grounded.

Speaking to Australia’s 9News, the emotional mother described the rescue as nothing short of a miracle.

“I just lost it. It’s been horrible the past couple of days, my prayers have been answered,” she said.

Barkley later shared a message from William, explaining that he had felt cold, frightened, hungry and alone while waiting for help.

His greatest wish now is to return to normal life, including playing Australian rules football with his friends.

He is also reportedly craving a large McDonald’s meal, although his mother said he would need to ease back into eating after going days with so little food.

William was taken to a hospital for observation following his rescue.

Victoria Police praised the extraordinary efforts of the emergency workers and volunteers involved in the operation, noting that the fishing tackle box had helped rescuers locate the teenager in an otherwise inaccessible area.

For Barkley, none of the dramatic details mattered as much as one thing: After six terrifying days, her son was finally coming home.