Australian teenager survives 6 nights in wilderness

A 17-year-old Australian boy has been rescued after spending six nights lost in a dense forest in Victoria, surviving on a small packet of chips and water from a stream.

The teenager, identified only as William, endured extreme heat during the day, freezing temperatures at night and several bouts of rain before a police helicopter search team found him on Thursday, November 12.

He was discovered lying near a waterfall close to Walhalla in Victoria, about 130 kilometres east of Melbourne.

More than 100 people, including police officers, rescue workers and trained search dogs, took part in the search operation.

William's ordeal began on November 6, when his mother, Elizabeth Berkeley, dropped him off near a campsite in eastern Victoria to go camping with a friend. He later became lost while going to collect additional camping equipment.

He was wearing only shorts and work boots, while his mobile phone, food and water had been left at the campsite.

After taking a wrong turn, he lost his way and eventually slipped down a hillside. As darkness fell, he took shelter under bushes and spent the following nights trying to survive in the wilderness.

Speaking on the television programme Sunrise, William said a childhood favourite, John Denver's song Take Me Home, Country Roads, helped him cope with the loneliness.

He said he repeatedly sang the song during the nights to comfort himself and maintain his courage.

His only food was a packet of chicken-flavoured chips, which he rationed over several days. He drank water from a nearby stream to stay hydrated.

William said the nights were extremely cold, while daytime temperatures were very high. Rain also fell several times, and prolonged exposure to the sun left his skin badly sunburnt.

When the helicopter approached, William was sheltering beside a rock with a towel covering his body. He waved at the aircraft to attract the search team's attention.

Rescuers then airlifted him to safety.

William described seeing his mother again as the best moment of his life after six days in isolation.

His mother expressed immense relief at his safe return, saying she would never let him leave home again.

Rescue pilot Dave Wiley said searching through the dense forest was particularly difficult because thick vegetation often prevented the crew from seeing the ground from the helicopter.

However, William's decision to shelter in a relatively open area made it easier for the team to spot him.

Suffering from dehydration, William was taken to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital for further examinations and observation. Hospital authorities said his condition was stable as of Friday afternoon.

sks