| Luke Shambrook released from hospital after Easter bush ordeal |
Luke Shambrook, the autistic 11-year-old boy who was lost in dense Victorian bushland for four days over the Easter weekend, has been released from hospital.
He was discharged from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne yesterday and returned home with his grateful parents Tim and Rachel.
Luke was found three kilometres from where he went missing in Lake Eildon National Park on Tuesday after vanishing on Good Friday.
He was spotted by a police helicopter equipped with night vision equipment and police eventually reached the exhausted and dehydrated boy.
Despite his ordeal, Luke was otherwise in good health.
His disappearance on Good Friday sparked a massive air and ground search that saw police, State Emergency Services and volunteers clamber through the rough terrain.
Mrs Shambrook thanked those who helped find her son.
"We never expected to be in a situation like this, and we're incredibly relieved to have Luke back with us," she said.
"We're incredibly grateful that people put the time in, especially over the Easter weekend."
Mrs Shambrook said the family was "overwhelmed" by the support shown by people both in their local community, and across the country, many of who they do not know.
"Our immense thanks to all who had any involvement whatsoever," she said.
Police believe he might have walked up to 10km, in different directions, during his ordeal.
His autism and limited speech could mean he never reveals what happened.
Autism expert Jenny Newman has shed some light on how he possibly survived the rugged terrain on his own.
"His level of fear would not have been what ours was, he was not actually engaging in being scared of his surroundings or being lost in the bush," Ms Newman said.
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