17-YEAR-OLD BOY WITH AUTISM VANISHES DURING CAMPING TRIP – HEARTBROKEN MOTHER SAYS SHE IS LIVING HER “WORST NIGHTMARE”

A mother is desperately hoping for her teenage son to come home after he disappeared during what was supposed to be a weekend camping adventure in the Australian wilderness.

William, a 17-year-old boy with Level 2 autism, vanished on Friday, November 6, while camping with a companion in Walhalla East, a rural area in Victoria, Australia.

Days later, an extensive search involving police officers, specialist rescue teams, helicopters and emergency personnel was still underway. His family remains desperate for answers, with growing fears about the freezing conditions he may have endured alone.

His mother, Elizabeth Barkley, described the situation as one of the worst nightmares any parent could experience.

A SHORT WALK THAT TURNED INTO A TERRIFYING DISAPPEARANCE

According to Victoria Police, William was camping with another teenager near Stoney Creek Road and T2 Track on November 6.

At approximately 4 p.m., he walked a short distance toward another part of the campsite to collect additional camping equipment.

When he failed to return, his companion began searching the surrounding area but could not find him.

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

The teenager had little camping experience and was unfamiliar with the surrounding bushland. His mother also explained that he has Level 2 autism and anxiety, raising concerns that he could become extremely frightened if separated from familiar surroundings.

William’s mobile phone was left behind at the campsite, making it impossible for him to contact his family.

HIS MOTHER’S HEARTBREAKING FEAR: HE COULD BE COLD, HUNGRY AND TERRIFIED

Elizabeth Barkley has spoken publicly about the emotional pain of not knowing where her son is or whether he is safe.

She explained that William would likely be extremely distressed, particularly because he was alone in an unfamiliar outdoor environment.

Police discovered his cooler, which contained food and water, but there was still no sign of the teenager.

At the time he disappeared, William was wearing only a pair of shorts and work boots. He had reportedly taken off his shirt because the weather had been warm earlier that afternoon.

However, temperatures dropped dramatically overnight.

His mother feared that he could be cold, hungry and struggling to find shelter.

Speaking to ABC News Australia, Elizabeth said:

“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 also expressed hope that her son might have found somewhere sheltered to sleep.

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

For Elizabeth and the rest of the family, every passing hour has brought more uncertainty.

A MASSIVE SEARCH OPERATION MOBILIZES SPECIALIST TEAMS

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

The operation involved local police officers, the Search and Rescue Squad, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch, Public Order Response Team and State Emergency Services personnel.

Helicopters, drones, motorbikes and specialist search teams were also deployed to cover the challenging landscape.

Police established a command post in Cowwarr to coordinate the operation.

By November 10, approximately 80 emergency personnel had been involved in searching the surrounding bushland.

Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said authorities were doing everything possible to locate the teenager and remained hopeful that his physical fitness would help him survive.

He explained that William was tall, strong and healthy, giving rescuers reason to maintain hope despite the difficult conditions.

Police also emphasized that they had no plans to scale back the search.

POLICE APPEAL TO A COUPLE WHO STOPPED TO HELP

Investigators initially appealed for a man and a woman who had stopped to assist William’s camping companion on Friday evening to come forward.

The couple were reportedly travelling in an older white four-wheel-drive vehicle with a tray and a dark-coloured canopy.

They had been driving along Stoney Creek Road between approximately 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Police believed the pair might have information that could help establish what happened after William disappeared.

In an update on November 10, authorities confirmed that they had spoken with the occupants of the vehicle and received information from them.

The search for William nevertheless continued.

THE FAMILY IS STILL WAITING FOR THE ONE CALL THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

William’s disappearance has left his family facing an agonizing wait.

Elizabeth has described her son as a good kid who loves football and soccer. She also believes he would be likely to approach people if he encountered them during his time alone.

The family is urging anyone who may have seen William or discovered camping equipment in the surrounding area to contact police.

Items of interest include a blue or black pillow, a table and a fishing tackle box.

As of November 10, William had not been located, and the major search operation remained active.

Authorities are asking anyone who sees him to call Triple Zero (000). Anyone with information can also contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Sale Police Station on (03) 5142 2200.

For Elizabeth, this is no longer simply a missing-person investigation. It is a mother’s desperate hope that her son is still out there, waiting to be found.

And as rescuers continue searching through the difficult terrain, his family is holding on to one wish above everything else: that William will be brought home safely.