Miracle as missing Aussie teen is found alive six days after vanishing on a camping trip in Victoria's high country

Detailed summary

A teenage boy who was missing for a week after going camping with a friend has been found alive.

Published: 01:07 GMT, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 01:39 GMT, 12 November 2026

A teenage boy who was missing for six days after going on his first ever camping trip with a friend has been found alive.

William, whose last name has not been released, was staying at Walhalla East in eastern Victoria on Friday afternoon when he walked to another part of the site near Stoney Creek Road and T2 Track but failed to return.

The 17-year-old, who has level two autism requiring 'substantial' support, was wearing only a pair of shorts and work boots at the time. He had also left his phone at the campsite.

William's friend ran to get help after the teenager did not return to the campsite and managed to wave down the driver of a white ute.

Police had held grave fears for the Latrobe Valley teen, who they said may have become disoriented and lost his way in the treacherous terrain.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported temperatures dropped as low as 3C and 4C at Walhalla during the six days he was missing. much

But, fortunately, William was found alive on Thursday morning and was pictured on a stretcher as emergency services attended to him.

He was transported by helicopter to a search base at Cowwarr, roughly 30km north of Traralgon in Gippsland, according to the Herald Sun.

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