A six-day search through rugged Australian bushland ended with a fist pump, a winch, and a donut. Police in Victoria say a 17-year-old identified only as William, missing since Friday from a remote campsite about 110 miles east of Melbourne, was spotted Thursday morning and airlifted out after enduring near-freezing nights, per the BBC. Video footage shows the teen lying on rocks next to a creek, covering his body with what looks like clothing. “Red from the sun,” he’s seen smiling and pumping his fist in celebration at an arriving helicopter, which winched him to safety, per News.com.au.
William was camping with another teenager in Walhalla East when he missed a turn near his campsite, walked until night fell, then “curled up under some bushes and went to sleep,” his mother, Elizabeth Barkley, told reporters. Then “he just stayed in one spot and waited to be rescued”—a decision police praised. Officers, who deployed dogs, divers, and helicopters in the search, described the outcome as rare and emotional. The teen was given a donut and some water ahead of a hospital check-up, but Barkley said he was “in perfect health,” apart from sunburn and scratches, and joked that “he’s never leaving the house again.”