After six days lost in the Victorian bush, missing teenager William has finally been reunited with his family and had one very important request granted.
Seventeen-year-old William was found alive by a police helicopter on Thursday morning after an extensive search across rugged bushland near Walhalla East, about 180km east of Melbourne.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Teen survives six days lost in Victorian bush
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He was found with sunburn and scratches after falling down a cliff, but was otherwise in remarkably good spirits.
The teenager, who has autism, had survived the ordeal on a packet of chips and creek water after becoming lost while camping with his stepbrother.
William was found with sunburn and scratches after falling down a cliff, but was otherwise in remarkably good spirits. Credit: Sunrise
After finally being winched to safety and reunited with his mother, Elizabeth Barkley, William had one very specific request: he wanted McDonald’s.
Elizabeth made the trip, returning with a Quarter Pounder with bacon, a cheeseburger, and six chicken McNuggets for her son.
William’s mum Elizabeth returned with a Quarter Pounder with bacon, a cheeseburger, and six chicken McNuggets for her son. Credit: Sunrise
An emotional reuinion
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The emotional reunion between William and his mother was captured on camera, with Elizabeth overcome with relief as she saw her son being brought back by rescuers.
“Just over the moon and as soon as he started waving to me in the helicopter and I saw the shape of him, I just lost it because it’s like, you know, my prayers were answered,” she said, calling his rescue a “miracle”.
She also joked he is now grounded “for life”.
The emotional reunion between William and his mother was captured on camera. Credit: Sunrise
Teen’s condition revealed
Speaking to Sunrise on Friday, Elizabeth revealed William had been transferred to intensive care after his blood pressure dropped due to dehydration.
She said doctors were also monitoring a condition affecting his windpipe.
“They just have to make sure, because the condition is stable and it’s not serious as yet, but it’s one of those things that could turn serious quite quickly if not looked after and treated properly,” she said.
William was disappointed to learn he wouldn’t be getting Macca’s for breakfast again, as doctors restricted his intake while they monitored his condition.
“He’s in good spirits, a bit grumpy because he can’t have his morning coffee,” Elizabeth said.
Country Roads brought him home
Elizabeth revealed her son had been frightened no one would find him during his six days alone in the bush.
“He was worried that no one would find him,” she said.
William had tried to keep himself company by singing John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads at night.
On Friday morning, now safe in a hospital bed, he has swtiched to singing AC/DC songs.
William remains in hospital following the rescue but is expected to be transferred to Melbourne for further assessment by specialists.
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