A large-scale search and rescue operation is underway in regional Victoria after a 17-year-old boy disappeared from a campsite near Walhalla East on Friday, with police and his family expressing growing concern for his welfare.
William, from the Latrobe Valley, had been camping with a teenage friend at Stoney Creek Road, near T2 Track at Walhalla East, with the pair planning to spend the weekend at the site. After setting up camp, William walked to another part of the campground and never returned.
His friend searched the surrounding area when William failed to come back but found no trace of him. Police believe he may have become disoriented and lost his way in the rugged local terrain.
Concern Grows as Search Intensifies
Authorities have flagged several factors raising their level of concern. At the time he went missing, William was wearing only a pair of shorts and work boots, leaving him poorly equipped for the elements. Poor weather over the weekend has further complicated the situation and heightened fears for his safety.
"Police and family members are growing increasingly concerned for Will," police said in a statement.
A command post has been established at Cowwarr to coordinate the search effort, which is drawing on resources from police stations across the Gippsland region, including Maffra, Sale, Rosedale, Morwell and Bairnsdale. Motorcycle officers from the Gippsland motorcycle branch are also involved.
A significant number of specialist units have been deployed to the search area, including the Public Order Response Team, the Dog Squad, the Mounted Branch, and the Search and Rescue Squad. State Emergency Services personnel are also on the ground providing support.
Multi-Agency Response to the Missing Persons Search
The scale of the operation reflects the serious and urgent nature of the search. The involvement of multiple specialist police units alongside emergency services volunteers underlines the challenges posed by the terrain and weather conditions in the area. Similar multi-agency search efforts have been mounted in recent times across Australia when missing persons cases involve remote or difficult environments.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen William or who has any information about his whereabouts to come forward and contact police immediately.
William is described as a 17-year-old male from the Latrobe Valley. He was last seen wearing shorts and work boots. Anyone with information is asked to contact Victoria Police.
