COWWARR: Australian police rescued missing teenager William from bushland in Victoria on Thursday, six days after the 17-year-old disappeared during a camping trip with a friend.
William remained in hospital on Friday. Latrobe Regional Hospital chief executive Don McRae said he was stable and would transfer to The Alfred in Melbourne for further testing and specialist review.
His mother, Elizabeth Barkley, told Seven’s Sunrise programme that doctors had moved him into intensive care overnight after his blood pressure dropped due to dehydration.
Victoria Police’s Air Wing found William after spotting a fishing tackle box in bushland about two kilometres east of Stoney Creek. Officers zoomed in and located him lying beside a creek.
A flight officer descended from the helicopter and winched him to safety. The crew then returned him to the search command post, where he reunited with his mother.
William had disappeared on November 6 near Stoney Creek Road, between Cowwarr and Walhalla, after walking away to retrieve camping equipment. When he failed to return, his friend searched for him before authorities launched a wider operation.
Police officers, specialist search teams and volunteers spent six days covering the surrounding terrain. Divers, dog teams and aircraft joined the search.
While alone, William drank creek water and ate from a family-sized packet of potato chips. He used towels to help keep warm through cold nights.
Barkley said her son had taken a wrong turn and later fallen down a steep embankment, leaving him with scratches and sore legs. Police described him as exhausted and unable to walk when rescuers reached him.
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Despite his condition, William waved towards the helicopter and smiled after the crew found him. His mother thanked the search teams and joked that he was “grounded for life”.
On Friday, William spoke from his hospital bed about singing John Denver songs to keep his spirits up while waiting for rescue. Hospital staff continued preparing his transfer for specialist assessment.
(With input from ABC News, 7NEWS and Nine News.)
