The moment the Victoria Police airwing spotted missing boy Luke Shambrook in bushland near Lake Eildon? Vision from Airwing Victoria Police
IT is the moment rescuers were hoping for but hope was fading. Then, out of the bush, a small, terrified face was seen staring blankly into the sky.
It was Luke Shambrook, and he was found.
Luke Shambrook first spotted from above. Source: Supplied
Images from a police helicopter of the moment Luke Shambrook was found near Lake Eildon. Source: Supplied
The picture was released this afternoon by Victoria Police and shows how lonely the bush must have seemed to the 11-year-old, who was missing since Good Friday.
Luke was found shortly before midday on Tuesday alive and in good spirits, but the bush has taken its toll on his small body.
Wearing a Victoria Police beanie, he was carried from the scrub — where he has spent the past four days — on a stretcher while his parents looked on, clearly relieved but with the horror of the last four days still etched on their faces.
Luke is placed into the ambulance as mum looks on. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia
A miracle: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia
Police said it was a miracle that Luke was found safe and relatively healthy after what was earlier described as a "life and death struggle" near Lake Eildon.
"He's a lucky boy, he's a strong boy," Acting Commander Rick Nugent said. "In some ways it's a miracle."
Media reports suggest Luke, who has autism, suffered a number of injuries and was suffering dehydration and hypothermia. He was transported by road ambulance to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and police are expected to provide an update on his condition shortly.
Luke's family issued a statement thanking "caterers, babysitters, supporters and volunteers".
"On behalf of the Shambrook family we would like to extend our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for the support shown to Tim and Rachel," the family said via the Luke Shambrook Support Page on Facebook.
"They are incredibly grateful for all the effort put in by the volunteers. From those who helped with the search, to the ladies handing out food, to the babysitters at home. A big thank you also to those who supported in prayer and the extended church family."
The family said Luke was "in high spirits" and "walked out of the bush on his own two feet".
"He gave Tim a big thumbs up when they saw each other. The family are very happy to be reunited."
Luke's uncle Peter told Channel 9: "We couldn't believe it. We're just rejoicing".
Luke was last seen about 9.30am on Good Friday at Devil Cove campground in Fraser National Park. Police located his beanie in dense bushland about 3pm yesterday.
Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said Luke spotted by a police helicopter after scaling a number of steep rocks to get to his position. He was found less than 1km from where search teams found his cap and less than 3km from where he went missing.
She said police had "limited information on the details of his condition" but that he "will now receive medical treatment".
Police described him as "one courageous, strong, determined young man".
Channel 7 reported Luke was "believed to be badly injured".
Mr Nugent said the relief was hard to describe.
"To spot him now is an absolute relief and the joy by all of us that he's been found is just hard to describe."
Police and State Emergency Service personnel spent four days looking for Luke. By Tuesday morning, hope of a positive outcome was beginning to fade.
Despite that, Luke's parents Tim and Rachel posted a message of thanks to "all involved in searching for Luke".
The rescue, from all accounts, was not an easy one. The terrain was described as "unstable under foot" and Sergeant Greg Paul told volunteers this morning the situation had become more urgent, with wet and cold conditions setting in overnight.
"We're racing against the clock, we're racing against the weather, OK. It's a life-and-death struggle. We want to get him found today," Sgt Paul said.
Found ... after 5 days 11 year old boy, Luke Shambrook is brought out of the bush. Found west of Auriferous Spur, high above Lake Eildon. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia
Search teams were inundated with volunteers hoping to bring about a miracle. Walkers searched the campgrounds while others with more expertise moved through the rough, slippery terrain. Many did so without food.
"Due to the high number of volunteers, we regret that we can't provide them (volunteers) with meals," the statement said.
Tim and Rachel look on as Luke is treated by ambulance personnel. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia
On Facebook, a Luke Shambrook support page attracted almost 10,000 members.
On Twitter, Australia expressed its thanks to volunteers and an overwhelming sense of relief.
"Not so dry in Melbourne today, not from rain, but from all the tears shed after Luke Shambrook was found," one user wrote.
"The mother's embrace we all hoped for," another wrote next to a picture of the pair, reunited.
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