A teenager has been reunited with his mother in an emotional embrace after being found alive following nearly a week missing in dense Victorian bushland.
Police AirWing located William, 17, whose surname has not been disclosed, lying in a creek near Walhalla, approximately 185 kilometers east of Melbourne, on Thursday morning.
The rescue operation succeeded after search teams scanning the rugged terrain from the air successfully spotted the 17-year-old.
William was initially reported missing last Friday after he strayed from his campsite near Walhalla.
Officers were winched down to the location by helicopter to retrieve the teenager, subsequently reuniting him with his mother, Elizabeth.
Aerial footage released by the Victoria Police Air Wing captures the moment William was located in the dense bushland.
Additional footage captured the poignant moment mother and son first laid eyes on each other since his disappearance. William was seen sitting inside the police helicopter wearing shorts and work boots.
He appeared to smile with relief before sharing a warm, emotional embrace with his mother as rescue officers looked on.
“I am over the moon. He’s alive,” Elizabeth told reporters at the scene. “He is never leaving the house again. He is not going anywhere.”
Following his rescue, William was transported to a local hospital for medical monitoring and evaluation.
The incident began on Friday when William’s mother dropped him off to camp with a friend for the weekend. Authorities believe the teenager walked a short distance back toward the drop-off point to retrieve additional camping gear.
When William failed to return to the campsite shortly thereafter, his friend conducted a search of the immediate area but was unable to locate him.
At the time of his disappearance, William was dressed only in shorts and work boots, leaving behind his mobile phone, food, and water supply.
Police reported that William was last seen near Stoney Creek Road, situated between Cowwarr and Walhalla, on November 6 around 4:00 PM.
On Wednesday, investigators issued an appeal to hunters, campers, and local landowners to report any relevant information, particularly after a hunting camera was discovered within the search zone.
Emergency response personnel, including the K9 and rescue squads, had been systematically searching the dense bushland since the previous Friday.
This article has been amended. An earlier version stated William had been camping with a relative. Police have since updated their advice.
