Australian teen missing in bush for six days rescued alive

What the report says

A 17-year-old boy identified only as William has been found alive after spending six days missing in dense bushland in Victoria, Australia. The BBC reported that he disappeared last Friday while camping with a friend about 180km east of Melbourne, prompting an extensive search by police using dogs, divers and helicopters amid concerns about the cold overnight temperatures.

William was located on Friday morning and reunited with his family. Rescuers winched him to safety, gave him water and food, and took him to hospital for a check-up. According to his mother, Elizabeth Barkley, he had only minor scratches and appeared to be in good health.

Police and the family both described the outcome as a relief after days of uncertainty. Victoria Police Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said it was not a routine result to find someone alive after such a search. The family joked that the teenager was now “grounded for life,” underscoring the emotional end to a case that had drawn significant concern because of the age of the missing person, the rugged terrain and the cold conditions. As a general matter, missing-person searches in remote Australian bushland can become urgent quickly because exposure and dehydration are major risks.