Boy found alive after 6 days lost in wilderness: "Grounded for life"

The boy, identified only as William, had been camping with a teenage friend when he disappeared last Friday near Walhalla, a former gold-mining town 185 kilometers east of Melbourne. Police said he walked away from the campsite to collect more equipment but never returned.

A police helicopter crew found him surrounded by wilderness, lying asleep on a flat rock beside a creek. Video from the rescue showed he was shirtless and sunburned, wearing shorts and boots and using towels as blankets.

Family Relief

William was later reunited with his mother, Elizabeth, who expressed overwhelming relief. "I'm just over the moon that he's alive," she told reporters. "And he's never leaving the house again. He's grounded for life."

Challenging Search

William's family has said he has Level 2 autism, which requires "substantial support" and may cause significant distress when routines are disrupted. The search involved over 100 emergency services personnel and volunteers.

Acting Police Inspector Jason Benbow explained that William trekked for days through "some very steep terrain" before spending his last two days trapped near the creek, 2 kilometers from his campsite. "He woke up to the sound of the helicopter, gave them a thumbs up and they winched him to safety," Benbow said.

The mild spring weather and little rain in the alpine region likely aided William's survival. He was taken to a hospital for monitoring but was reported to be in good spirits and mostly in good health.