Australia.- Un adolescente de 17 años con autismo fue rescatado con vida tras permanecer seis días extraviado en una remota zona boscosa del estado de Victoria, al sureste de Australia. El operativo de búsqueda movilizó a más de un centenar de efectivos de los servicios de emergencia y voluntarios de la región.

El joven, identificado como William, fue ubicado por la unidad aérea de la Policía de Victoria durante un sobrevuelo en las inmediaciones de Cowwarr, en la región de Gippsland, a unos 185 kilómetros al este de Melbourne.

Durante el patrullaje, la tripulación del helicóptero avistó primero una caja de aparejos de pesca entre la vegetación y, al aproximarse, localizó al adolescente recostado sobre una roca junto a un arroyo.

17-Year-Old Boy Found Alive After Six Days Missing in Australian Bushland

A 17-year-old boy who disappeared while camping in dense bushland in southeastern Australia has been found alive after six days, bringing an emotional end to an extensive search operation that involved more than 100 emergency personnel and volunteers.

The teenager, identified only as William, went missing on Friday, November 6, while camping with a friend near Walhalla East in Victoria’s Gippsland region, approximately 185 kilometres east of Melbourne.

According to reports, William had walked a short distance from the campsite to collect additional camping equipment but failed to return. His mobile phone, food and water were left behind, raising serious concerns about his survival, particularly as overnight temperatures in the area dropped to between 3°C and 4°C.

The disappearance triggered a large-scale search involving police helicopters, specialist search-and-rescue teams, the police dog squad, State Emergency Service personnel and local volunteers, who combed through the challenging terrain for nearly a week.

William was eventually located on Thursday morning by Victoria Police’s Air Wing near Stoney Creek, approximately two kilometres from the campsite. A police helicopter spotted him lying beside a creek in a remote and difficult-to-access section of bushland.

He was subsequently winched to safety and reunited with his mother at the search base in Cowwarr.

According to police, the teenager appeared to be in good spirits and was generally in good health, despite sustaining a few scratches and suffering sunburn. He was later taken to hospital for medical observation.

William’s mother, Elizabeth, described his survival and rescue as a miracle, expressing overwhelming relief that her son had been found alive.

She said he had apparently remained in one location while waiting to be rescued, adding that he had only sustained a few scratches.

Overcome with emotion, she thanked the emergency personnel and volunteers who participated in the search before joking that her son would never be allowed to go camping again.

“He’s never leaving the house again. He’s grounded for life,” she said.

Acting Police Inspector Jason Benbow described the successful rescue as one of the most rewarding moments of his career, praising the collective efforts of everyone involved in the operation.

The circumstances surrounding William’s disappearance and how he managed to survive for six days without adequate supplies are expected to become clearer as authorities and his family learn more about his ordeal.

The successful rescue has brought immense relief to his family and the wider community after days of uncertainty and growing fears for his safety.

— AfrikTimes (@afriktimesint) November 12, 2026

De acuerdo con la información compartida por las autoridades, el menor se encontraba sin camiseta, presentaba quemaduras solares y había utilizado toallas como abrigo para resguardarse de las bajas temperaturas nocturnas.

Tras confirmar su ubicación, rescatistas especializados descendieron desde la aeronave mediante un sistema de izado para extraerlo del lugar. El joven pudo reencontrarse brevemente con su madre antes de ser trasladado a un hospital local para una evaluación médica preventiva.

El inspector interino Jason Benbow detalló que el menor despertó al escuchar el ruido del helicóptero e hizo una señal levantando el pulgar antes de ser asegurado por el equipo de rescate.

Por su parte, Elizabeth, madre del adolescente, expresó su alivio ante medios locales tras confirmarse el hallazgo con vida de su hijo.

Las autoridades confirmaron que William se encuentra de buen ánimo y en un estado general de salud estable.

El extravío ocurrió el pasado viernes 6 de noviembre, mientras el adolescente acampaba junto a un amigo cerca de la antigua localidad minera de Walhalla. Según el reporte policial, el joven se apartó momentáneamente del campamento para recoger equipo adicional y perdió el rumbo.