After a week of frantic search, a 17‑year‑old boy named William was rescued alive in the dense bush near Walhalla, Victoria. Police AirWing helicopters spotted the teenager lying in a creek on Thursday morning, and rescue teams quickly winched him to safety.
William had been dropped off by his mother, Elizabeth, to camp with a friend on Friday. He walked back to the drop‑off point to fetch more gear, but never returned. His friend searched the area, finding no trace, and the boy was reported missing around 4 p.m. on November 6.
The search involved aerial patrols, ground teams, and a dog squad. A hunting camera recovered in the area prompted investigators to ask hunters, campers and landowners for information.
When the helicopter arrived, William was wearing only shorts and work boots, with his mobile phone, food and water left behind. He sat calmly in the aircraft, smiling before embracing his mother in a tearful hug. “I am over the moon. He’s alive,” Elizabeth said to reporters. “He is never leaving the house again.”
He was taken to a hospital for monitoring after the rescue. The incident underscores the importance of safety precautions when venturing into remote bushland.
Source: The Guardian World
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Editorial note: This is an original news report prepared from the attributed source material with AI assistance. It is not a reproduction or translation of the original article.
