The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Boy found alive after 6 days lost in wilderness: "Grounded for life"
Video shot from the rescue helicopter showed the boy was shirtless and sunburned. He was wearing shorts and boots and was using towels as blankets.
A 17-year-old boy with autism who had been camping with a friend in eastern Victoria was found alive after six days in the woods near Walhalla, about 185 kilometers east of Melbourne. Police identified him only as William.
A rescue helicopter located William, who was asleep on a flat rock beside a creek. He was shirtless and sunburned, wearing shorts and boots, and using towels as blankets. He was reunited with his mother after the discovery.
William was described by authorities as being in good spirits and mostly in good health. He was later taken to a hospital for health monitoring. His mother’s reaction was shared publicly, though her family name was not disclosed.
Authorities noted that William had wandered from the campsite and spent the final two days near the creek, with steep terrain shaping much of his path. More than 100 emergency personnel and volunteers participated in the extensive search effort.
The incident occurred amid mild spring weather in Australia’s alpine region, following a period of low rainfall. William’s case is cited among recent dramatic rescues in Australia’s wilderness, emphasizing the ongoing vigilance of rescue services in such environments.