Teenager found alive after six days lost in Victorian bushland

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 12 Nov, 01:58 · Archive

A 17-year-old boy who went missing from his campsite in remote Victorian bushland six days ago has been found alive. Will was camping with another teenager in Walhall East, about 180km east of Melbourne, when he walked a short distance from camp near Stoney Creek Road and the T2 Track.

When he failed to return shortly after, the other boy searched the area but found no trace of him. Victoria Police set up a command post in Cowwarr to co-ordinate the search, which involved local police from surrounding branches as well as officers from the Public Order Response Team, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch and Search and Rescue Squad, with support from State Emergency Services personnel.

Police believed Will may have become disorientated and lost his way in the surrounding terrain. They and family members had been growing increasingly concerned as he was wearing minimal clothes at the time – a pair of shorts and work boots – and had been missing through inclement weekend weather.

When found, Will was in good condition. His mother Elizabeth Barkley told reporters that he was in perfect health with only a few scratches, and that he had stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued. 'He's doing fine, everything seems to be fine – he's in perfect health,' she said. Police AirWing transported him out of the bushland.

How it is being reported

• Missing teenager William found alive after six days in Victorian bushlandMissing teenager William has been found alive, six days after he vanished while camping in Victorian bushland.WAtoday · 12 Nov, 01:47
• Will found alive after six days missing in Victorian bushlandSix days after vanishing just steps from his campsite, missing teenager Will has been found alive in remote Victorian bushland.The West Australian · 12 Nov, 01:27
• Will found alive after six days missing in Victorian bushlandSix days after vanishing just steps from his campsite, missing teenager Will has been found alive in remote Victorian bushland.Perth Now · 12 Nov, 01:26

In this story: Will · Elizabeth Barkley · Victoria Police · Walhall East · Melbourne · Victoria

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log