William Callaghan: Teenager with autism lost on Australian mountain for two days found alive

William Callaghan was found wandering through bushland near the mountain’s summit on Wednesday

William had no food or water while lost on an 800-metre high mountian (Victoria Police/ Callaghan family)

A teenager with non-verbal autism who spent two days lost on a cold mountain in Australia has been found alive, police confirmed on Wednesday.

William Callaghan, 14, was separated from his family while hiking on Mount Disappointment, an 800-metre high mountain near Melbourne, Victoria on Monday.

The 14-year-old was found on the “life-threateningly cold” mountain on Wednesday, following land and air searches by hundreds of local volunteers and the authorities.

Local bushman Ben Gibbs, who said he grew up in the area and knows the mountain well, told Australian media he found William near the summit around midday.

“I was just wandering through the bush, it was quite thick so I was breaking my way through it,” he told Nine News. “He was just about 15 metres from me just standing there, just really angelic, just standing there.

“I heard that he liked Thomas the Tank [Engine] so I just talked to him about Diesel and Bertie and stuff like that … just to calm him down.”

Mr Gibbs said he gave William a pair of socks, chocolate, water and a jacket before emergency services brought the 14-year-old down to the foot of the mountain where he was treated by paramedics and later taken to hospital for observation.

William’s mother, Penny Callaghan, said she was delighted to have been reunited with her son and was “quite calm” considering the danger her son had faced.

“I can’t imagine what he’s been feeling and going through. I am just so relieved,” she told reporters. “More than anything, thank you everyone. I’m so grateful, you’re all amazing. What an amazing community.”

Victoria’s acting police inspector Christine Lalor described the successful search as “the best outcome we could hope for”. “I have so many people to thank,” she added.

Police minister, Lisa Neville, praised the emergency services efforts. “Your efforts have been incredible and I speak for all Victorians when I say we are so grateful for your dedication and this amazing outcome,” she wrote on Twitter.

Mount Disappointment is located on the southern end of the Great Dividing Range – one of Australia biggest mountain ranges – about 37 miles north of Melbourne.

In June, temperatures on the mountain can drop to as low as 3C with highs of around 8C.