A 17-year-old Australian teenager survived six days lost in remote Victorian bushland by rationing a single packet of chips, drinking creek water, and singing John Denver songs at night.
William, who lives with autism, was found on November 12, 2026, after a massive aerial and ground search involving more than 100 emergency personnel.
Missing in the High Country
The ordeal began on Friday, November 6, 2026, when William was dropped off by his mother for a weekend camping trip near Walhalla East, in Victoria’s Gippsland region. He walked a short distance toward the initial drop-off location to retrieve further camping equipment but failed to return to his friend.
Wearing only shorts and work boots, the teenager had left his phone, food supplies, and water behind. Acting Superintendent Melanie Hamshere noted growing concerns as freezing overnight temperatures set in across the thick, dense, and treacherous terrain.
“We're certainly concerned for Will's safety,” Acting Superintendent Hamshere said, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
More than 100 people joined the extensive search operation, including police dogs, rescue squads, the Police Air Wing, drones, water police, officers on motorbikes, mounted police, and volunteer groups such as the State Emergency Service and Bush Search and Rescue. Investigators also appealed to the public for information after discovering a hunting camera in the area, while police divers scouted local waterways.
Survival in the Wilderness
During nearly a week alone in the wilderness, William managed to make a family-sized packet of chicken-flavoured Smith’s chips last for two days. He also drank water from a nearby stream and wrapped himself in towels to stay warm during cold nights.
Elizabeth Barkley said her son kept himself calm during the dark hours by singing one of his favourite childhood tunes.
“He sort of stayed in one spot and he was singing Country Roads at night to keep himself entertained,” Barkley told Nine.
After taking a wrong turn on a track, the teenager fell down a cliff, leaving him with minor injuries and soreness in his legs that restricted his movement. Unable to walk further, he stayed put in the harsh terrain, using towels as blankets while braving freezing evening conditions.
Police Aircraft Spot Missing Teenager in Bushland
The search shifted dramatically on Thursday morning when the Victoria Police air wing spotted a fishing tackle box in bushland about two kilometres north-east of Stoney Creek.
Tactical flight officer Emma Quick recalled the moment the crew realized they had found the missing teenager.
“I don’t think any of us in the aircraft could actually believe that it was him. And then he seems to put his head up and that was another moment where we were just like, ‘oh my gosh, he’s alive, we got him’,” Quick told The Age.
Acting Police Inspector Jason Benbow said that William had trekked up and down steep terrain before becoming trapped by the terrain near the creek. Waking up to the sound of the helicopter, William gave the crew a thumbs-up and was winched to safety.
Rescuers brought him to the command post for an emotional reunion with his mother. “So as soon as that helicopter landed, and they got him off, I gave him the biggest hug,” Barkley told The Age.
William was subsequently transported to hospital for monitoring and treatment of dehydration and a small tear in his windpipe.
Following the successful rescue, Elizabeth Barkley expressed profound relief over her son’s survival. “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,” she said.