Source : Perth Now news
The mum of a teenager who was miraculously rescued after six gruelling days in the Victorian bushland has revealed the one song that kept him going throughout.
Will, 17, survived almost a week stranded in the bush after going missing and was located by police following an extensive search.
The teen is currently recovering in hospital after being found exhausted, hungry and severely sunburnt.
But his mum has revealed just what kept him going before the euphoric scenes of his rescue unfolded – singing his favourite song, John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads.
“He sort of stayed in one spot and was singing Country Roads at night to keep himself entertained,” mother Elizabeth Barkley told 9News.
Meanwhile, footage from the Air Wing showed the incredible moment he was discovered lying on the rocks on the edge of the water.
Wrapped in a blanket and red from the sun, the teen had his head resting against a pillow as he spotted the rescuers above.
With a pound of his fist and sigh of relief, the teen gave the camera a wave and a big smile, as he sat up ready for his rescue.
A police officer was soon seen climbing the rocks to get closer to the teenager, who managed to sit up and grab his belongings before being winched to safety.
Will disappointed he can’t have Maccas yet, mum
Ms Barkley told the Today Show on Friday seeing her son step out of the helicopter was like having an “out of body moment”.
“I couldn’t describe it … I’ve been dreaming every night about what happens if I found him alive,” Ms Barkley said.
“He’s quite happy, he’s talkative, a little bit grumpy because he’s not allowed to eat or drink. It’s not what you want to hear after not being able to eat or drink for a couple of days.
“He’s missing his morning coffee and he’s disappointed about his Macca’s breakfast because he really wanted his Maccas breakfast, but otherwise he’s fine.”
It is understood Will is currently not allowed to eat because he sustained injuries to his throat and his antibiotics won’t agree with the food that ends up in his stomach.
Ms Barkley told A Current Affair she has given her son “so many hugs’ since his safe return.
“He’s happy, he’s hungry,” she said, revealing he wanted McDonalds as his first meal.
“Except for a bit of sunburn and scratches, like his legs are a bit sore from the scratches, he’s in a fighting spirit,” she said.
“I just can’t believe how well he’s handled being out there for so long.”
The mum of a teenager who was found safe six days after vanishing in Victoria’s rugged bushland has revealed how the 17-year-old managed to survive.
When asked how her son may have become lost, Ms Barkley said he “just missed the turn off track” and kept walking until it got dark.
“So he curled up under some bushes and went to sleep,” she said.
She said the teenager is hard to wake up while sleeping, and likely missed the sound of “screaming, yelling, sirens” in search for him.
“Like once he’s asleep, he’s asleep, you know,” she said.
“Smoke detectors won’t even wake him up.”
Ms Barkley said despite him being gone for nearly a week, she “knew he would be safe”.
“I had … instinct or whatever, but I knew he was still alive. And I know that … I’m very strong person … and I knew in my heart that he was still alive,” she said.
Shortly after the teenager was winched to safety, he was reunited with his mum, who told reporters her son was “in perfect health”.
“He just stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued and I’m just over the moon he’s alive,” she said.
An emotional Ms Barkley joked “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.”
Victoria Police said the teen was taken to hospital for monitoring, though was “in good spirits and, for the most part, in good health”.
Will got lost on camping trip with mate
William, or Will as he is known to his mates, was camping with another teenager in Walhalla East, about 180km east of Melbourne, when he walked a short distance to another part of the camp near Stoney Creek Road and the T2 Track.
“When he failed to return shortly after, the (other) boy searched the area but found no trace of Will,” Victoria Police said.
Police set up a command post in Cowwarr to co-ordinate the search, which involved local police from surrounding branches.
Officers have also been deployed from the Public Order Response Team, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch, Search and Rescue Squad will be on site and searching today with support from State Emergency Services personnel.
“Police believe at this stage Will may have become disorientated and lost his way in the surrounding terrain,” Victorian police said.
“Police and family members are growing increasingly concerned for Will as he was wearing minimal clothes at the time – a pair of shorts and work boots – and due to the weekend inclement weather.”
