For six days, a mother in Victoria, Australia, waited for news. Her 17-year-old son, William, had walked away from a campsite in rugged bushland and not come back. Then, on Thursday, a police helicopter crew flying over a creek saw a boy asleep on a flat rock. He woke to the sound of the rotors, looked up and gave them a thumbs-up.
It was William. He was sunburned, shirtless and tired, but alive, and police said he was in good spirits.
A camping trip in steep country
William, whose family says he has Level 2 autism, went camping with another teenager near Walhalla, a former gold-mining town about 115 miles (185 km) east of Melbourne in Victoria’s mountain country. Police have released only his first name. His mother dropped the boys off, and at some point William walked back toward the drop-off spot to collect more camping gear. He never returned.
According to the Australian Associated Press, he was last seen near Stoney Creek Road, between the towns of Cowwarr and Walhalla, at about 4 p.m. on Friday, November 6. He was wearing shorts and work boots and had left his phone, food and water at the campsite. Police believed he had become disoriented in the steep terrain. Early in the week, snow fell on nearby mountains and temperatures dropped below freezing overnight, which made the search feel even more urgent.
A whole community searching
Police coordinated the search from a command post in Cowwarr. The dog squad, mounted police, the State Emergency Service and a local motorcycle group all joined in, and more than 100 emergency workers and volunteers took part, CBS News reported, citing the Associated Press. For days, they found no trace of him.
It turned out William had kept moving for days over steep ground before ending up beside a creek about a mile and a quarter (2 km) from his camp. For his last two days, the terrain around the creek kept him hemmed in. He used towels as blankets. That is where the helicopter crew found him, asleep on the rock. They winched him to safety and he was taken to the hospital to be checked.
His mother, Elizabeth, told reporters she was over the moon that he was alive. Then, like any relieved parent, she joked that he was grounded for life.
Why this story matters
Many families know the fear of a child who wanders. For parents of children on the autism spectrum, that fear can be part of everyday life, because some kids may not respond to their name being called or may hide from noise and strangers. Stories like William’s remind us that searches are not hopeless, and that every searcher who gives up a weekend, every pilot and every volunteer on a muddy trail matters.
It is also a picture of something deeper. Jesus told of a shepherd who left the ninety-nine to look for the one lost sheep, and who called his friends together when he found it.
“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”
— Luke 15:6 (KJV)
Practical steps for outdoor adventures
- Share the plan. Before any hike or camping trip, tell someone at home where you are going, who is with you and when you will be back.
- Keep the basics on your body. William left his phone, food and water at camp. Teach kids to carry water, a snack, a whistle and a phone or radio, even on a “quick” walk.
- Agree on a “stay put” rule. Talk with children ahead of time about stopping, staying in one place and making noise if they get lost, rather than wandering farther.
- Plan for kids who wander. If your child is on the autism spectrum, consider a tracking device, a bright clothing color they always wear outdoors, and a recent photo ready to share.
- Thank the searchers. Volunteer search groups and emergency services in many communities welcome donations, notes and new helpers.
Half a world away, a family in Australia is rejoicing. Their story is a good reason for ours to pray for every family still waiting for someone to come home.
Has your family ever had a scary moment when someone was lost, and how did it change the way you prepare?
Sources: CBS News/Associated Press, “Boy found alive after 6 days lost in Australian wilderness: ‘He’s grounded for life’” (Nov 12, 2026); Australian Associated Press via The Leader, “Fears for missing teen after camp trip disappearance” (Nov 10, updated Nov 12, 2026); KJV Luke 15:6.
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