Missing teen with autism found alive in Victorian bush
A 17-year-old boy with autism was found alive on Thursday after six days missing in bushland near Walhalla, about 185 km east of Melbourne, Victoria police said. A police helicopter crew spotted him asleep on a flat rock beside a dry creek bed, guided by his fishing tackle box, and he was taken to hospital for monitoring. Police said he was in good spirits and mostly in good health. His mother, Elizabeth, said she was overjoyed he is alive. He had disappeared after being dropped off at a campsite, and hundreds of rescue workers had searched the area.
Key facts
- He had only a bag of chips and water to survive, and had fallen down a slope two days before being found.
- The boy has Level 2 autism, which requires substantial support, according to Autism360.
- He was shirtless and sunburned, using towels as blankets, and had left his phone, food and water behind.
Summarised with AI from 5 sources · Updated 21:11Read our AI policy
Why it matters
Shows how remote bush searches for vulnerable people depend on aerial and ground coordination.
What changed
Summary updated
First published from ABC News (Australia), The Guardian, BBC News, South China Morning Post and The Independent