A miracle recovery
Autistic boy lost for days in Victorian bush is found alive
found AN experienced missing teenager bushman Wiln - liam Callaghan, offering the e after boy food two and freezing warm nights clothing in n g the Victorian wilderness.
Ben Gibbs found the nonverbal autistic teenager about lunchtime yesterday, nearly 48 hours after William became separated from family on the Mount Disappoint- ment summit.
Mr Gibbs, who grew up in n the area, found him about 20 minutes off the track, a little deeper in the bush than previous searches had covered.
“He was just about 15m from me, just standing there; he was really angelic just standing,” Mr Gibbs said.
“He looked in reasonable health, he wasn’t shivering too bad, he didn’t have socks on so I put some socks on him and a jacket. I gave him some chocolate.”
Mr Gibbs felt like he was on track to finding William before discovering the boy.
“This is kind of our family mountain. I’ve been going here since I was a boy, so I know it well,” he said.
William was taken to the search
1pm.
Blue tarps were erected to shield William’s reunion with his family, during which he gave his mum Penny a hug.
Hundreds of people were searching for him, as temperatures in the area plummeted.
William’s favourite tune, Thomas the Tank Engine, was blasted over sound systems to try to draw him out, and food w was left out for him to find.
A wave of relief went through the camp when news broke of the boy’s discovery. Smiles and tears spread over the faces of his family, friends and those who had searched high and low for him.
A volunteer said staging area about there lation” were scenes among of n“absolute all those jubiwho walked into the bush to try to bring “We him gn just home. saw Will,” she said. “He looks in really good shape.
“He smiled at everyone as he was lifted out of the car.”
In a brief statement, police said Will was in good health, had been given water and was receiving medical attention.
“Amazing news!!” Victoria Police tweeted.
“Missing boy Will Callaghan has been located by a volunteer at Mt Disappointment. After two days missing in bushland, Will is set to be reunited with his family shortly.”