The 14-year-old boy was found alive and well after spending two nights infrosty temperatures at Mount Disappointment, north of Melbourne. But the mountain, despite its name: "disappointment" was not a place of tragedy, but of hope, joy and modern wonder.
Amazing news!! Missing boy Will Callaghan has been located by a volunteer at Mount Disappointment. After two days missing in bushland, Will is set to be reunited with his family shortly.
William Callaghan, who has severe autism and does not communicate verbally, disappeared on Monday afternoon when they were hiking with his father to the top of the mountain. At about 2.20pm, William rushed forward and dissapeared. He was missing ever since. Authorities, with the help of the family and volunteers, immediately started combing the inaccessible area day and night. William had no food or water with him.
He wore only a blue trackpants and hoodie, while the cold was bitter. During the night it dropped to 0 degrees Celsius.
As time went by there were grave fears for his safety. However, no one abandoned the search.
The second night passed and no trace of William was found. More than 500 volunteers participated in the research for the second and third day. His parents appealed to the media to find him. His mother said:
I'm not the type to pray. But now I pray. I wish him well and I will give him everything he likes.
Parents and authorities have asked those who have homes in the area to wait to see for themselves if he seeked refuge there. They were asked to play the music by Thomas the tank engine, which he likes, and to fry bacon, because the smell could lure him. He also likes feta cheese, peanut butter, Vegemite and candies.
Shortly before one o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, her prayers were answered. William was found by a volunteer, Ben Gibbs.
He was cold, but alive and well. He was walking barefoot in the woods. Rescue teams immediately carried him to a safe space, where they wrapped him in a blanket and gave him his favorite delicacies. The child seemed happy to be warm, close to the safety of his mother and father. Unfortunately, just because he doesn't speak, it will be very difficult to describe his experience and explain exactly how he survived alone on the harsh mountain for 47 hours.
Will Callaghan found Source: VIC Police
