A police helicopter located William, 17, in rugged terrain in eastern Victoria; he was reunited with his family.
Read the storyNovember 12, 2026, 5:52 a.m. Central time.
A 17-year-old who disappeared while camping in eastern Victoria was found alive Thursday after six days in dense bushland, Australian police said.
The teenager, identified publicly as William, was spotted by a police helicopter crew near a creek and was reunited with his family. He was in good spirits and mostly in good health, police said, according to the Associated Press. He was taken to a hospital for monitoring.
William went missing November 6 while camping with another teenager in the Walhalla East area, about 180 kilometers east of Melbourne, according to ABC Australia. His surname has not been released.
He walked away from camp and did not return. Police said the search involved specialist teams, helicopters and volunteers. More than 100 emergency personnel and volunteers took part, AP reported.
Acting Police Inspector Jason Benbow said William had traveled through steep terrain and spent his final two days near the creek where the helicopter crew found him, according to AP.
After hearing the helicopter, he signaled to the crew and was winched to safety. Police later reunited him with his mother.
November 6: William disappeared during a camping trip. November 8: Victoria Police issued an update on the ongoing search. November 12: Police found him alive and reunited him with his family. Dates are local to Victoria, Australia.
The star marks the approximate Walhalla East area, not the rescue location.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
This November 8 post predates the rescue.
Victoria Police search update on X
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Associated Press: rescue and police account · ABC Australia: search and reunion · Victoria Police: earlier search · Victoria Police on X: November 8 search
Hero and thumbnail: conceptual editorial illustration, not a photograph.
