Autistic Teen Found Alive After Six Days Lost in Australian Woodlands
Elizabeth embraces her son William after he was rescued by a police helicopter.
A 17-year-old boy with autism has been found alive and in good spirits after spending six days lost in eastern Australian woodlands near Walhalla. William was located by a police helicopter crew lying on a flat rock beside a creek, roughly two kilometers from his campsite. He was subsequently reunited with his mother and taken to a hospital for health monitoring.
- WhenThursday, after six days missing
- WhereNear Walhalla, eastern Australia
- Who was involvedWilliam, a 17-year-old with autism, and his mother Elizabeth
- CasualtiesNone reported
- CauseNot yet reported
- StatusFound alive and recovering in hospital
Photos
7 photosWhat happened
A 17-year-old boy identified as William was discovered alive on Thursday after enduring six days lost in the woodlands of eastern Australia. He was spotted by a police helicopter crew while lying asleep on a flat rock beside a creek, surrounded by wilderness.
Helicopter footage captured William looking shirtless and sunburned, wearing shorts and boots while using towels as makeshift blankets. He was situated about two kilometers away from his initial campsite.
William is seen from the rescue helicopter lying on a flat rock beside a creek.
How it unfolded
William had begun a camping trip with a teenage friend near Walhalla, a former gold-mining town located 185 kilometers east of Melbourne. After being dropped off by his mother for a weekend of camping, William walked a short distance to collect additional equipment but failed to return to his companion.
Over the following days, he trekked across steep terrain and spent his final two days near the creek where he was ultimately spotted. Upon hearing the approaching helicopter, he woke up, gave the crew a thumbs up, and was winched to safety.
The people involved
William's family has shared that he has Level 2 autism, a condition that requires substantial support and can cause significant distress when regular routines are disrupted. Advocacy groups note that individuals with this level of autism may experience marked social communication deficits and rely heavily on predictable activities.
His mother, Elizabeth, expressed immense relief following the rescue, jokingly remarking that he was grounded for life and would never leave the house again. Video footage recorded the emotional moment she embraced her son after the rescue helicopter landed.
Response and aftermath
An extensive search operation involved more than 100 emergency services personnel and volunteers combing the alpine region. Mild spring weather with little rain over the previous week aided the broader search efforts in the area.
Following his rescue, William was transported to a hospital to have his health monitored. Police officials stated that he was in good spirits and mostly in good health despite his ordeal.
What we still don't know
The exact sequence of events that initially caused William to become disoriented and wander away from the drop-off location has not been detailed beyond his failure to return from collecting equipment. Additional specifics regarding his medical evaluations at the hospital have also not been disclosed.