Watch: Missing teen found and rescued after nearly a week in Australian forest

Teenager missing for 6 days found alive and well Police have released footage of the moment they found a teenager on November 12, after he went missing for almost a week in Victoria’s Gippsland forest. (Credit: Victoria Police via Storyful)

The Details

The Brief

A missing 17-year-old boy was found and rescued after nearly a week in Australia’s Gippsland forest.

Aerial search crews spotted William near a creek, and officers hoisted him to safety before reuniting him with his mother.

Police released footage showing the discovery and rescue of a 17-year-old boy on Nov. 12, nearly a week after he went missing in Victoria’s Gippsland forest.

The backstory

The teenager, identified as William, was reported missing Nov. 6 while camping with a friend near Cowwarr and Walhalla.

Victoria Police said crews conducting an aerial search spotted a tackle box in bushland about 1.2 miles east of Stoney Creek. When they zoomed in, they saw William lying near a creek.

Nancy Guthrie case: Savannah Guthrie shares emotional plea 9 months after mother's disappearance The footage shows William waving at the camera and pumping his fist after being spotted.

Flight officers were lowered to William and hoisted him to safety. He was then taken to the search command post, where he reunited with his mother.

William, 17, was found Nov. 12 following nearly a week missing in Australia’s Gippsland forest. (Victoria Police)

What they're saying

"Amazingly, William is in good spirits and for the most part, in good health. He was taken to hospital for monitoring," Victoria Police said.

The Source

Storyful contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.