A police helicopter crew spotted the 17-year-old near a creek after an extensive search across rugged terrain in eastern Victoria.
COWWARR, Australia — A 17-year-old boy missing for six days in rugged bushland in the Australian state of Victoria was found alive by a police helicopter crew after rescuers spotted equipment near a creek and located the teenager lying nearby, authorities said.
Victoria Police said William, whose surname has not been released, was found Nov. 12 about 2 kilometers east of Stoney Creek after an Air Wing crew noticed a tackle box in the bush during an aerial search. The crew examined the area more closely and saw him in a creek bed. Flight officers were lowered from the helicopter, retrieved him and flew him to the search command post, where he was reunited with his mother before being taken to a hospital for monitoring.
William had been missing since about 4 p.m. Nov. 6, when he was camping with another teenager in the Walhalla East area between Cowwarr and Walhalla. Police said his mother had dropped the teenagers off for a weekend camping trip. William later walked a short distance toward the drop-off location to collect additional camping equipment but did not return. His companion searched the area before authorities were alerted and a large search operation began.
The search expanded over the following days across steep, heavily wooded country that challenged ground crews and aircraft. Victoria Police deployed local officers along with its Search and Rescue Squad, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch, Public Order Response Team and Air Wing. State Emergency Service crews, Ambulance Victoria, specialist search groups, rescue dog teams, volunteers and members of the local community also assisted. Police established a command post in Cowwarr to coordinate the operation.
Investigators initially believed William may have become disoriented and lost his way in the surrounding terrain. By the fifth day, police were asking hunters, campers and landowners to review footage from trail and game cameras around Cowwarr, Stoney Creek, the Lower Thomson River and nearby tracks. They also sought dashcam recordings from people who had traveled through the area. Police said William’s mobile phone, food and water had initially been left behind at the camp, adding urgency to the search.
The helicopter crew’s attention was drawn to a tackle box in the bush on the sixth day. Police said the crew zoomed in on the area and located William nearby. The terrain around him was so difficult that some sections could not be safely searched on foot, officials said. Footage released after the rescue showed the teenager reacting after realizing the helicopter had seen him. Police initially described him as being in good spirits and, for the most part, in good health.
William later described enduring cold nights, hot days and difficult terrain during the ordeal. In interviews from the hospital, he said he rationed a family-sized packet of chicken-flavored chips and drank water while trying to remain warm. He also said he sang songs to himself to keep his spirits up. Search and rescue specialists told ABC that remaining in one location and staying visible near an open creek bed helped improve his chances of being spotted from the air.
Officials said William had spent part of the ordeal moving through the bush before eventually remaining near the creek. The area is covered in dense vegetation that can make a person difficult to see even from a helicopter. A member of the Victoria Police Air Wing told ABC that crews were looking for anything unusual when the teenager was spotted. The open area near the creek ultimately gave rescuers the opportunity to see him from above.
After the rescue, William was taken to Latrobe Regional Hospital. The hospital’s chief executive, Don McRae, said he was stable and in good spirits before being transferred to The Alfred in Melbourne for further testing and specialist review. ABC reported that he was treated for dehydration and other health concerns related to his six days outdoors. His mother remained with him as he recovered.
The successful rescue ended an operation that had drawn police, emergency personnel, specialist search teams and community volunteers into the difficult country for nearly a week. Victoria Police thanked the State Emergency Service, Ambulance Victoria, Bush Search and Rescue, search dog organizations, local volunteers and the Cowwarr Football Netball Club for supporting the effort.
William continued recovering under medical care after the rescue, while authorities said the missing-person search had concluded. Police described his recovery as a remarkable outcome after six days in challenging terrain and changing weather conditions.
Author note: Last updated November 13, 2026.