Australian teen missing six days in bushland found alive and reunited with family

A 17-year-old Australian teenager named William was found alive after being missing for six days in dense bushland about 180 kilometers east of Melbourne, Victoria, BBC reported.

William disappeared last Friday while on a camping trip with a friend near Walhalla in Victoria's Gippsland region, The Guardian reported. He was last seen wearing only shorts and work boots.

Search efforts included police dogs, divers, helicopters, and the Police AirWing, which spotted William lying in a creek on Thursday morning, according to The Guardian.

Rescuers winched William to safety, provided him with food and water, and took him to a hospital for a checkup. His mother told reporters he had only minor scratches and was in good health, according to BBC.

The emotional reunion between William and his mother was captured on video, showing the teenager smiling and hugging his mother inside a police helicopter, The Guardian reported.

Authorities expressed relief and emotion at finding the teenager alive. Victoria Police Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said officers were eager to hear William's story soon, as reported by BBC.