17-YEAR-OLD BOY WITH AUTISM VANISHES DURING CAMPING TRIP — HIS MOTHER SAYS SHE’S LIVING HER “WORST NIGHTMARE” AS MASSIVE SEARCH ENTERS FOURTH DAY

WALHALLA EAST, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA — A mother is desperately waiting for her 17-year-old son to come home after he disappeared during a weekend camping trip, leaving behind his phone, food and water.

William, a teenager with Level 2 autism, vanished on Friday, November 6, after walking a short distance from his campsite in the remote bushland of Victoria’s Gippsland region.

Four days later, despite an extensive search involving police, specialist rescue teams, helicopters, dogs and emergency personnel, there is still no confirmed sign of him.

His mother, Elizabeth Barkley, says she cannot sleep knowing her son may be frightened, cold and alone somewhere in the wilderness.

“I can’t sleep knowing I’m safe in bed and warm and he is somewhere out there and he’d be so scared,” she told ABC News Australia.

For the family, every passing hour brings more uncertainty.

THE WALK THAT TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE

William had travelled to Walhalla East, near Cowwarr in Victoria, for a weekend camping trip with another teenager.

On Friday afternoon, November 6, the two were near a campsite in the vicinity of Stoney Creek Road and T2 Track.

At approximately 4 p.m., William walked a short distance toward another part of the camping area to collect additional supplies.

He was expected to return shortly.

But he never came back.

When William failed to appear, the other teenager began searching the surrounding area. Despite looking around the campsite and nearby tracks, he could not find him.

Police believe William may have become disoriented and lost his way in the unfamiliar terrain.

What should have been a short walk suddenly became a disappearance that triggered a major emergency search.

HIS PHONE, FOOD AND WATER WERE LEFT BEHIND

One of the most concerning details is what William left at the campsite.

His mobile phone was not with him when he disappeared.

Police also located an esky, or portable cooler, containing food and water along the track.

Other camping equipment remained missing, including pillows, a fishing tackle box and a small table.

His family is particularly worried because William has Level 2 autism and anxiety. His mother explained that he had very little camping experience and was unfamiliar with the surrounding area.

She believes he could become extremely distressed if he realized he was lost.

William is approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall, physically fit and strong, but his family fears that even his physical condition may not protect him from the dangers of the wilderness.

HE WAS WEARING ONLY SHORTS AND WORK BOOTS

Perhaps the most frightening detail is what William was wearing when he disappeared.

According to police, he had removed his T-shirt because the weather was warm that Friday afternoon.

He was last seen wearing only a pair of shorts and work boots.

He had not taken his phone, and he was left without the basic supplies that could help him survive outdoors.

As night fell, temperatures dropped dramatically.

Nearby mountain areas experienced freezing conditions, with snow falling on some surrounding ranges during the weekend. Overnight temperatures near Mount Baw Baw dropped below freezing.

His mother fears that her son may be cold, hungry and struggling to find shelter.

“I just don’t know what’s happened … we’ve found the esky, but there’s just no sign of him. It’s like he’s just vanished,” she said.

She also expressed hope that he might have found somewhere sheltered to sleep.

“I just hope he is curled up somewhere and has gone to sleep,” she said.

UP TO 80 PEOPLE JOIN THE MASSIVE SEARCH

Victoria Police launched an extensive search operation shortly after William was reported missing.

The operation has involved officers from several local police stations, alongside specialist units and emergency services.

Search resources have included:

• Police helicopters and aerial surveillance.
• Search and Rescue specialists.
• Police Dog Squad.
• Mounted police officers.
• Motorcycle police.
• Water police and other specialist personnel.
• State Emergency Service members.

At one stage, more than 50 people were searching on foot, supported by helicopters, boats, horses and motorbikes.

By Tuesday, November 10, approximately 80 emergency personnel were involved in the continuing operation.

Police established a command post in Cowwarr to coordinate the search and direct teams through the dense bushland.

Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said William was physically fit and strong, giving investigators hope that he could survive the difficult conditions.

Police emphasized that they were committing extensive resources to the operation and had no plans to scale it back.

The surrounding terrain is particularly challenging, with thick vegetation, steep ground and difficult access.

POLICE TRACK DOWN TWO POTENTIAL WITNESSES

Investigators have also been seeking information from two people who may have important details about the hours following William’s disappearance.

On Friday evening, between approximately 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., a man and a woman travelling in an older white four-wheel-drive vehicle stopped along Stoney Creek Road.

The vehicle was described as having a tray and a dark-coloured canopy.

The pair reportedly stopped to help William’s camping companion, who was searching for the missing teenager.

Police initially appealed publicly for the couple to come forward, believing they might have information that could assist the investigation.

In an important development on November 10, police confirmed that they had spoken with the occupants of the white four-wheel-drive vehicle and that the pair had provided information.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed further details about what the couple told investigators.

The search for William, however, remains ongoing.

A MOTHER’S DESPERATE PLEA

As police continue searching the wilderness, Elizabeth Barkley is facing the unimaginable uncertainty of not knowing where her son is or whether he is safe.

She described the disappearance as one of the worst nightmares a parent could experience.

“You see these things on the news that happen to other people, and you just don’t think it is going to happen to you until it does,” she said.

Her greatest fear is imagining her son alone in unfamiliar surroundings, possibly frightened and unable to find his way back.

William is known as Will to those close to him.

His mother has urged anyone who sees him or comes across his missing camping equipment to contact authorities immediately.

Police have also released photographs of William in the hope that someone may recognize him.

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP

Victoria Police are continuing to appeal for information from anyone who may have been travelling through the Walhalla East area on Friday, November 6.

Anyone who sees William should call emergency services on 000 immediately.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts can contact:

• Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
• Sale Police Station: (03) 5142 2200

Even information that may appear insignificant could help investigators establish where William went after leaving the campsite.

FOUR DAYS WITHOUT ANSWERS — A FAMILY STILL HOPING

William was only 17 when he disappeared.

He went on what was supposed to be a weekend camping trip, expecting to spend time outdoors and return home afterward.

Instead, his family is now waiting anxiously while rescue teams search through miles of difficult terrain.

His phone remains behind. His food and water have been found. But William himself is still missing.

His mother is left hoping that somewhere in the bushland, her son has found shelter and is waiting for someone to find him.

For Elizabeth and the people who love William, the only thing that matters now is bringing him home safely.

Four days have passed, but the search has not stopped. And his family is still holding on to hope.