William, 17, says ‘nights were pretty cold’ and he ‘honestly didn’t think’ he’d survive
A teenage boy who survived almost a week lost in dense Australian bushland sang John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads as he held out hope of rescue on long nights alone in the wilderness.
William, whose surname has been withheld, was dropped off by his mother for the weekend to camp with his friend in Victoria’s east last Friday.
The 17-year-old was reported missing at about 4pm that day after failing to return from a trip to retrieve further camping equipment. He was wearing only shorts and work boots and had left his phone, food supplies and water behind.
After an extensive operation of more than 100 people, including the police dog and rescue squads, the police air wing found William on Thursday morning lying down in a creek near Walhalla, 130km east of Melbourne.
He lost his way after taking a wrong turn on a track, and later slipped and fell down a cliff.
He told Seven’s Sunrise program John Denver’s country classic, which repeats the line “take me home, to the place I belong”, was a childhood favourite of his that brought him solace as he braved harsh conditions and loneliness.
