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Australian teen missing in bush for six days rescued alive

BBC News •
November 12, 2026 • 02:40 AM
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The 17-year-old's mum has joked that he is "grounded for life" and "never leaving the house again".

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A teenager missing for six days in dense Australian bushland has been found alive.

William, whose surname has not been released, disappeared last Friday while on a camping trip with a friend in bushland about 180km east of Melbourne, Victoria.

Extremely cold overnight temperatures had left authorities concerned for the 17-year-old's welfare. Police dogs, divers and helicopters had been involved in the search.

He was located on Friday morning and reunited with his relieved family, who said he is uninjured but "grounded for life".

Rescuers winched him to safety, and fed him a doughnut and a bottle of water, before he was taken to hospital for a check up.

The boy's mother, Elizabeth Barkley, told reporters the teenager had "only a few scratches" and seemed fit and healthy.

"He's doing fine, everything seems to be fine, he's in perfect health," Ms Barkley added.

"He just stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued and I'm just over the moon he's alive."

Joking, she added: "He's never leaving the house again."

Police have said officers were emotional to have found the teen alive.

"It doesn't happen all the time," Victoria Police Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said.

"I'm sure he's got a story to tell us soon, which we're very keen to hear," he added.

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Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 4 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

4 Publications
The Guardian
1d ago
Australian teen who went missing in bushland wearing only shorts and boots found alive after six days

Australian teen who went missing in bushland wearing only shorts and boots found alive after six days

William, 17, was reported missing after straying from his camp near Walhalla in Victoria’s Gippsland region

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ABC News Australia
4h ago
Missing teen 'kept his wits' in the bush and saved his own life

Missing teen 'kept his wits' in the bush and saved his own life

Staying hydrated and warm, and in easy sight of rescuers, were all factors that helped rescuers find 17-year-old William in dense bushland.

#teen #missing #bush
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CNN International
2d ago
Missing baby rescued, found buried alive a day after authorities say his father took him | CNN

Missing baby rescued, found buried alive a day after authorities say his father took him | CNN

A South Carolina infant who authorities say was taken by his father was found alive Tuesday, buried in a dog crate in the woods after apparently spending about 24 hours underground, officials said.

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Sydney Morning Herald (SMH)
1d ago
‘He’s grounded for life’: Teen survives six days in bush on chips and water

‘He’s grounded for life’: Teen survives six days in bush on chips and water

A 17-year-old boy has been reunited with his mother after being found alive in Walhalla East, surviving six days on just a packet of chips and water.

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