Food items belonging to a missing teenager have been found by searchers at a campsite, as police continue to look for two good Samaritans who stopped to help.
William, 17, was camping with a friend at Walhalla East in Victoria’s east on Friday afternoon when he walked to another part of the campsite near Stoney Creek Road and T2 Track, but failed to return.
William, who has level two autism requiring ‘substantial’ support, was wearing only a pair of shorts and work boots at the time. He’d also left his phone at the campsite.
Police hold grave fears for the Latrobe Valley teen, who may have become disoriented and lost his way in the treacherous terrain as weather conditions worsened over the weekend.
A large-scale search was deployed, involving dozens of police resources and State Emergency Service volunteers.
William’s mother, Elizabeth Barkley, on Monday confirmed a box of cereal and a packet of marshmallows found near the campsite belonged to her son.
Superintendent Melanie Hamshere said searchers were continuing to look for any clue on the teen’s whereabouts.
‘We’re certainly concerned and we’ve got a number of resources looking for William because the longer he is out there, it makes it more difficult for him,’ she said.
William disappeared while camping with a friend at Walhalla East (above) east on Friday afternoon
William (above) had walked to another part of the campsite near Stoney Creek Road and T2 Track but failed to return
Searchers found a box of cereal and a packet of marshmallows that belonged to William
William’s friend had run to get help after the teenager did to return to the campsite and managed to wave down the driver of a white ute.
Police are looking for the two travellers who stopped and assisted.
‘Police are hoping to speak to a male and a female who kindly stopped and assisted in the search for William on Friday and may be able to help with further information,’ Victoria Police said.
‘They were travelling on Stoney Creek Rd sometime between 7.30pm and 8.30pm in an older white 4WD with a tray and dark coloured canopy.’
Ms Barkley has described her son’s disappearance as ‘one of her worst nightmares’.
She had dropped off William and the friend shortly before he vanished.
‘It’s absolutely horrible, I’ve barely slept or eaten,’ Ms Barkley said as she fought back tears.
‘He would be so scared and he’s a mum’s boy, so he’ll be missing me a lot.’
William (above), who has autism, was on his first camping trip when he disappeared
His mother, Elizabeth Barkley (above), described her son’s disappearance as ‘one of her worst nightmares’
As it was William’s first camping trip, he was unfamiliar with the rugged terrain.
It is understood he set up camp with his friend before returning to the drop-off area to collect the remaining gear, including an esky, when he disappeared.
‘We found the esky, but just no sign of him … he’s just vanished,’ Ms Barkley said.
‘I’m just really worried. He has been out there for two days. He is probably cold and hungry.
‘You don’t know where he is, whether he is still alive, or if he is okay. I just want him back home.
‘I just hope he is curled up somewhere and has gone to sleep. He is a deep sleeper.’
William is described as being 190cm tall with a thin build.
Anyone who sees William is urged to contact Triple-0 while anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact Crime Stoppers.
