Missing Australian teen found alive after six days in Victoria bushland

A rescue after six days

A 17-year-old boy from Morwell was found alive on Thursday morning, 12 November, six days after he went missing in dense bushland in Victoria. A police helicopter crew spotted him in a creek bed, and officers winched him to safety before reuniting him with his mother, who happened to be at the police command point in Cowwarr when he appeared. He had been camping with a friend near Walhalla East, about 180 kilometres east of Melbourne (185 kilometres in one account), when he walked a short distance to the drop-off point to fetch more camping equipment on Friday, 6 November. When he did not return, his friend searched the area but found no trace of him. Acting Inspector Jason Benbow of Victoria Police said the helicopter found him lying down and waving his arms.

Benbow said such outcomes are uncommon, and officers were emotional to have found the teenager alive.

“It doesn't happen all the time.”

Search and conditions

He had left his phone, food and water at the campsite and wore only shorts and work boots when he disappeared. Police said he was last seen near Stoney Creek Road, between Cowwarr and Walhalla, on 6 November about 4pm. More than 100 people joined the search, supported by police divers, sniffer dogs and helicopters, across dense bushland. On Wednesday morning, 11 November, a police helicopter spotted his fishing tackle box about 2km from Stoney Creek. Extremely cold overnight temperatures had left authorities concerned for his welfare, and in the region temperatures fall almost to freezing at night even in the current spring months.

Condition and unanswered questions

His mother said he had only a few scratches and appeared fit and healthy, and he was taken to hospital for monitoring. Rescuers fed him a doughnut and a bottle of water after winching him up. According to his mother, he had slipped down a slope and could not move properly afterwards, so he stayed in the same spot and waited to be found. Police said they had not yet established how he survived six days without food, water or adequate clothing. Benbow said police were keen to hear his account of what happened.

“I'm sure he's got a story to tell us soon, which we're very keen to hear.”

Family reaction and investigation

His mother said she had never lost hope of finding him alive. She told ABC she was happy and utterly stunned, and she joked that he was grounded for life. On Wednesday, investigators appealed to hunters, campers and landowners to come forward with information after a hunting camera was found in the search area.

Emergency crews, including the dog and rescue squads, had been searching the bushland since Friday, 6 November.