Search efforts in Victoria's rugged eastern countryside are intensifying as an autistic teenager, Will, 17, enters his fifth night missing. Emergency services have deployed significant resources, including helicopters, boats, motorbikes, and up to 80 personnel on the ground, in the hope of locating him.
Will vanished on Friday afternoon in the Walhalla East area, near Stoney Creek Road, after he reportedly went to retrieve camping gear from a drop-off point. He was wearing only shorts and work boots at the time of his disappearance. Overnight temperatures in the region have dropped to as low as 3C (37.4F) since Friday.
Authorities believe Will may have become disoriented in the challenging terrain. "William's 17, he's fit and healthy, he's quite a tall, strong lad," Acting Inspector Jason Benbow told ABC Radio. "So we're really hanging onto hope that his health will get him through for these days until we can find him." Police stated they are "throwing absolutely everything" at the search and have no plans to scale it back.
While an esky containing food items has been found retracing Will's steps, a tacklebox, pillows, and a fold-out tabletop remain missing. It is unclear if Will reached the drop-off location to collect these items.
Will's mother, Elizabeth Barkley, described the situation as "one of her worst nightmares." "It's absolutely horrible, I've barely slept or eaten," she told reporters, visibly distressed. "He would be so scared and he's a mum's boy, so he'll be missing me a lot. I just want him back home."
Will is described as being 190cm (6ft 3in) tall with a thin build. Police are urging anyone who was travelling in the Cowwarr, Stoney Creek, and lower Thomson River areas on Friday, particularly those with dashcam footage, to come forward with any information.
This incident draws a parallel to a similar case six years ago when 14-year-old William Callaghan, who is also autistic, was found alive after spending two nights lost in dense bushland at Mount Disappointment in the state's north.