“HE PUNCHED THE AIR WHEN HE SAW THE HELICOPTER”: Missing Teen’s Incredible Reaction After Six Days Trapped in Australian Bush on One Bag of Crisps

For six agonising days, 17-year-old William was stranded in rugged Australian bushland, unable to climb out of a remote gully or call for help. Then a rescue helicopter appeared overhead. The teenager’s reaction was captured on camera — but his mother had a very different message waiting when he finally made it home.

A FAMILY-SIZED BAG OF CRISPS KEPT HIM GOING

William disappeared on November 6 while camping with a friend in the mountains near Walhalla, a small town east of Melbourne.

The autistic teenager had gone to collect additional camping equipment, wearing only shorts and work boots. He had no phone with him and never returned to the campsite.

He had stumbled down a steep cliff and become trapped in a remote gully, in terrain so inaccessible that rescuers could not reach him on foot.

A major search operation was launched after his friend reported him missing. With temperatures dropping overnight and the surrounding bushland home to some of Australia’s deadliest snakes, fears for his survival grew.

But William managed to endure six days alone with remarkably little food and water. He survived on a family-sized bag of chicken-flavoured crisps, while using towels and a pillow to keep warm.

THE MOMENT HE REALISED HELP HAD ARRIVED

The breakthrough came when a police helicopter spotted William in a rugged section of terrain that had not previously been searched.

Footage captured the teenager’s reaction as he noticed the aircraft. He cheered and punched the air, visibly excited to see his rescuers.

Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said William’s “eyes lit up” when the helicopter appeared and that he gave the crew a thumbs-up.

The officer also revealed just how unexpected the rescue had been for the teenager.

“He didn’t even think people were searching for him, he had no idea how he was going to get out of there,” Benbow told reporters.

William was winched to safety by the police helicopter. Despite spending nearly a week stranded in the wilderness, he was reportedly in good spirits and suffered only minor injuries. He was taken to hospital for monitoring.

Benbow said the teenager was particularly excited about the helicopter itself, having never flown in one before. He even believed William might have survived another couple of days.

HIS MUM’S FIRST WORDS WERE NOT QUITE WHAT HE EXPECTED

After six days of uncertainty, William was finally reunited with his mother, Elizabeth Barkley.

She had spent the ordeal convinced in her heart that her son was still alive. When the rescue was confirmed, the relief was overwhelming.

“I just lost it. It’s been horrible the past couple of days, my prayers have been answered,” she told 9News.

Elizabeth later admitted she had a few choice words for her son once he was safely back with her.

“Don’t ever do that again. You’re never leaving my sight again,” she recalled telling him.

“You scared the s**t out of me. Yes, you’re grounded.”

She was also unable to hide her relief, saying: “I’m just over the moon that he’s alive.”

Her punishment came with an even stricter warning.

“He’s never leaving the house again. He’s grounded for life. He’s not going anywhere ever again.”

A BIG MCDONALD’S MEAL — BUT NOT JUST YET

After surviving on a single bag of crisps for six days, William reportedly had one particular craving: a big McDonald’s order.

His mother said he would have to take it slowly, however, as he was not allowed to eat too much at once while recovering.

Elizabeth also joked that her son had become famous for a very different reason than the one he had imagined.

“I know he wanted to be a famous AFL player, not famous like this, but I don’t care,” she said.

“He’s mine now, and he’s staying home, and I’m never going to let him go again.”