Breaking: Police find teen who had been missing in Victorian bush for six days

Police locate missing teenager six days after he disappeared in Gippsland bushABC GippslandTopic:Missing PersonPosted Thu 12 Nov 2026 at 12:04pmThu 12 Nov 2026 at 12:04pm, updated Thu 12 Nov 2026 at 12:20pmThu 12 Nov 2026 at 12:20pmWilliam was found by police this morning, six days after disappearing while camping near Cowwarr. (ABC News: Lily Kristanto)Police have found a missing teenager alive six days after he disappeared while camping in dense bushland in Victoria's east.Seventeen-year-old William, whose surname has not been released, disappeared on Friday while camping with a friend at Walhalla East, about 180 kilometres east of Melbourne.He was last seen wearing shorts and work boots, having left his phone, food and water behind at a makeshift camp. Authorities had been concerned for his welfare due to the frigid overnight temperatures in the region, with his disappearance sparking an intense six-day search, involving police divers, the dog squad and helicopters. William was located this morning and reunited with his family. His mother Elizabeth Barkley said the teenager was quite fit and healthy with "only a few scratches". "He's doing fine, everything seems to be fine — he's in perfect health," Ms Barkley said."He just stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued and I'm just over the moon he's alive."William's mother fought back tears as she spoke to the media shortly after they had been reunited in Cowwarr. "He's never leaving the house again. He's grounded for life," she said."He's not going anywhere ever again. I'm just over the moon."