A 17-year-old boy who disappeared into dense bushland in the Australian state of Victoria wearing only shorts and work boots has been found alive after six days, The Guardian reported, with reporting credited to Australian Associated Press.

Police AirWing found the teenager, identified only as William, on Thursday morning, Nov. 12. Emergency service workers had been searching for him since the previous Friday in bushland near Walhalla, about 185 kilometres east of Melbourne in Victoria’s Gippsland region.

William had been dropped off by his mother to spend the weekend camping with a friend. He was reported missing after straying from the camp, leaving his mobile phone, food and water behind.

It is believed he had walked a short distance back towards the location where he had been dropped off to collect more camping equipment. That account describes his presumed reason for leaving the campsite, rather than a confirmed account of his movements.

When William did not return shortly afterwards, his stepbrother searched the surrounding area but could find no trace of him, according to the report.

Police said the teenager was last seen at about 4 p.m. on Nov. 6 near Stoney Creek Road, between Cowwarr and Walhalla. The search that followed involved emergency service personnel, including the dog and rescue squad, working through the dense bushland.

On Wednesday, the day before William was located, investigators appealed to hunters, campers and landowners to come forward with any information. That appeal followed the discovery of a hunting camera within the search area. The report did not say whether the camera provided information that helped police find him.

Sources