After two freezing nights on Mount Disappointment, William Callaghan was found by rescuers using a search strategy “tailor-made” for his autism, an effort advocates say we can all celebrate and learn from.
Key points:
- William Callaghan went missing while hiking with his dad
- He survived two nights of freezing temperatures lost in the bush
- A rescuer found William on Wednesday about 1.5km from the search command area
It was one of Victoria’s largest searches, with more than 500 police and volunteers involved, and the risks were high right from the beginning.
William become lost after running ahead of his dad while on a day-walk at Mount Disappointment on Monday.
He was not prepared for an overnight stay in freezing temperatures, did not have food or water and has autism and is non-verbal.
To find William in the thick bushland, about 80 kilometres north of Melbourne, police had to adapt their search methods.
Singing replaced shouting while rescuers combed through the bush, the smells of barbecues were used to attract William in case he was close by and locals were asked to play Thomas the Tank Engine music and leave food and water out for William.
For two days, these efforts went unrewarded.
Acting Inspector Christine Lalor, who oversaw the search and became the face of the police effort to find William, said as time went on the risks were growing.
But she said rescuers and William’s mother Penny Callaghan remained optimistic even as the search stretched into Wednesday.
“I think it is important to not lose hope and to stay optimistic.”
Search personalised for William
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