Boy found near home

A TEENAGER missing in bushland northwest of Brisbane has been hospitalised after he was found by SES workers less than 10 minutes from his home. Eric, 16, had not been seen since Monday, despite a three-day search of bushland around Highvale.

He spent three nights in wet and cold conditions before being found early yesterday.

Paramedics said he was in good health and talking, and was in hospital for observation.

“When you consider we’ve had some cold nights ... exposure certainly does take a toll,” Senior Sergeant Seia Akhavan said. His family issued a heartfelt plea for his safety on Wednesday. “Contact us, please. Me, your mum, your baby brother and your baby sister, we’re missing you,” his father, Darryl, said.