“A Miracle Happened”: Missing 17-Year-Old Boy Found Alive in Australian Bushland After Surviving 6 Days on Chips and Stream Water

Teen found alive after six days lost in bushland

A six-day search across rugged bushland in rural Australia ended in emotional relief on Thursday, November 12, when a Victoria Police helicopter located 17-year-old William “Will” Barkley alive near a creek—nearly a week after he vanished during a camping trip.

William, who has autism and hearing loss, had been missing since around 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday, November 6, near Stoney Creek Road between Cowwarr and Walhalla, roughly 115 miles east of Melbourne. Despite enduring freezing overnight temperatures with almost no supplies, the teenager was rescued in remarkably good health and reunited with his mother, Elizabeth Barkley.

How He Survived Six Days Alone in the Bush

After six days of searching, missing teenage boy William has been found safe and well.

The ordeal began shortly after Elizabeth dropped William off for his very first camping trip. After setting up camp, William walked back toward the drop-off area to collect remaining equipment—leaving his phone, food, and water behind—and became disoriented in the unfamiliar terrain:

After six days of searching, missing teenage boy William has been found safe and well.

Trapped in a Ravine: Frightened during his first night alone, William curled up to sleep before attempting to find his way back the next morning. Unfamiliar with the dense bushland, he missed a gap in a cliff edge and slid down into a gully where sore legs left him unable to climb out.
Smart Survival Instincts: Rather than wandering deeper into danger, William stayed put near a creek—using towels he had with him to stay warm against sub-zero temperatures and rationing just a single packet of chips alongside water from the nearby stream.
Spotted From the Air: During an intensive multi-agency search involving helicopters, police dogs, mounted units, and State Emergency Service volunteers, a Victoria Police Air Wing crew spotted a tackle box in bushland roughly 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) east of Stoney Creek. Zooming in nearby, officers saw William lying beside the creek—waving and pumping his fists as the aircraft hovered overhead.

An Emotional Reunion and a Mother’s Relief

Teen found alive after six days lost in bushland

Rescue officers were winched down to extract William and flew him directly to the local search command post, where Elizabeth ran to embrace her son as soon as the helicopter touched down:

“I Never Gave Up Hope”: Having previously watched William survive meningococcal disease at 18 months old and relearn how to walk and talk, Elizabeth said her son’s past resilience sustained her through what she called her “worst nightmare”:

“I never gave up hope, I knew in my heart he was still alive, and I just prayed to God for a miracle, and a miracle happened. So as soon as that helicopter landed, and they got him off, I gave him the biggest hug.”
Good Spirits and Lighthearted Humor: Transported to the hospital for routine monitoring with “only a few scratches,” William immediately told his mother, “I love you”. Relieved beyond words, Elizabeth replied, “You’re never leaving my sight again”—joking to reporters that camping trips are officially off the table because “he’s grounded for life”.