Police divers join search for autistic teen missing in Victoria's high country
Police have expanded the search for 17-year-old William, who vanished five days ago while on his first camping trip in Walhalla East, deploying divers and multiple emergency units.
Police divers have been deployed to search rivers in Walhalla East as part of an expanded effort to locate 17-year-old William, who disappeared on Friday during his first camping trip in Victoria’s northeast. William, who lives with autism, was last seen after walking away from his campsite near the T2 Track to retrieve an esky and failing to return. His friend searched the area before authorities were called, and the case was later transferred to the state’s Missing Persons Squad, which previously handled the searches for Samantha Murphy and Karen Ristevsky.
Acting Senior Sergeant Trevor Barton said investigators believe William may have become disoriented in the steep, rough and heavily vegetated terrain, though foul play has not been ruled out. Barton noted concerns that William was wearing only shorts and work boots as overnight temperatures fell to –3°C.
Search resources now include the Public Order Response Team, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch, Search and Rescue Squad and State Emergency Services. A packet of cereal and marshmallows, identified by William’s mother as his, have been recovered. Police are also reviewing information from a couple in a four-wheel-drive vehicle who assisted William’s friend on Friday night and have spoken to them to refine the timeline of events.