17-year-old Victorian teen rescued after six days missing in bushland
A 17-year-old who went missing near a Walhalla East campsite was found alive on a rock beside Stony Creek after six days, rescued by Victoria Police Air Wing.
Victoria Police rescued a 17-year-old boy who had been missing for six days in the bushland near Stony Creek Road, Walhalla East. The teenager, who was staying with another teen and had no phone, took a wrong turn on a trail on November 6 and failed to return to the campsite.
Police Air Wing located a tackle box about two kilometres from the last known location, leading rescuers to the teen on a rock beside the creek. He was observed drinking creek water, eating a family-size bag of chips and using towels and a pillow for warmth while awaiting help.
"His eyes lit up when he saw the helicopter," Acting Inspector Jason Benbow told reporters. "He was very excited about getting into a helicopter; he’d never been on one before. He didn’t even think people were searching for him, but he survived for several more days."
The teen was winched to safety, reunited with his mother, Elizabeth Barkley, and taken to hospital for monitoring. He was described as being in good spirits despite minor injuries, including scratches and sore legs.
Search efforts involved the Public Order Response Team, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch, Search and Rescue Squad, divers and the Missing Persons Squad, covering rugged terrain that could not be searched on foot. The rescue concluded after a coordinated aerial and ground operation.