Will Callaghan’s mum gives update on teen’s recovery after ‘massive ordeal’

Australia rejoiced yesterday when the news broke that missing teenager William Callaghan, who has non-verbal autism, had been found on Victoria’s Mount Disappointment. The Melbourne teen spent 47 hours alone in the wilderness after walking off from his family during an afternoon hike on Monday.

Hundreds of volunteers and emergency first responders took part in the three-day rescue effort to find Will, with Victoria Police also adopting some more unusual techniques, including asking locals to barbecue onions and bacon in the hope of drawing Will in, and playing the Thomas the Tank Engine theme tune via loud speaker.

Now his mum Penny Callaghan, who also has another young son with autism, has revealed how her son is doing as he recovers in Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital. Speaking to the media this morning, the mother-of-two said Will will remain in hospital for a little while longer as he has an insect trapped in his ear, as well as a suspected broken foot.

“Yes, this was a massive ordeal for him. But to him it was probably just an adventure as well,” Penny said. “He’s just happy that I’m there, and he slept pretty well last night, a lot better than I did.”

She went on to discuss the support she has received from those within the autistic community since Will’s diagnosis at the age of two. She added: “It was mind-boggling and overwhelming, and it’s been a massive journey. [But] What do I do now? Do I tether him to me so this doesn’t happen again? Yes, it’s a terrifying thing and it may happen again and I have to do the best I can to make that not happen.

“It is tricky and you’re switched on all the time, it’s 24/7 and that’s where it gets tiring and that’s I suppose where we need good support. The NDIS does provide funds for that, but also there’s not that many people who are aware of really what autism is about.”

#BREAKING: Penny Callaghan the mother of 14-year-old William Callaghan who went missing in Victorian bushland for 47 hours has spoken outside the Royal Children’s Hospital. #9Today pic.twitter.com/JIge4FYxda

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) June 10, 2020

The news that Will had been found by a volunteer broke at around 1pm on Wednesday and footage emerged shortly after of the teenager, with bare feet and wearing the jacket of his rescuer, being carried to an ambulance by his step father. Victoria Police confirmed the news in a statement published on Twitter which read: “Amazing news!! Missing boy Will Callaghan has been located by a volunteer at Mount Disappointment. After two days missing in bushland, Will is set to be reunited with his family shortly. We would like to thank the community for their outpour of support.”

As the news broke, many people took to social media to express their delight over the happy news. “AWESOME breaking news! Will Callaghan’s been found. After two nights in the bush in those temps. Brilliant work from all those wonderful people searching,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Another commented: “Finally some good news in 2020. 14-year-old Will Callaghan has been found alive & well after 2 nights missing on Mount Disappointment. @abcnews Here’s to good news!” While another said: “Will Callaghan’s Mum has been in my thoughts all morning since she spoke to reporters. What an amazing Mother and what an amazing outcome. There’ll be plenty of tears of joy for this family across the nation.”

“I’m the one who stumbled across him but everybody found him. All of the volunteers and all of the Search and Rescue…everybody’s effort” – Ben Gibbs, the volunteer who found William Callaghan at Mount Disappointment. https://t.co/f2y1co9K8q #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/pAzeBUlXsD

— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) June 10, 2020

Ben Gibbs, the volunteer who found Will, has opened up about the long search and the moment he realised he had found the teenager in the bushland on Wednesday evening. The experienced bushman described Will as “really angelic” and said he was just “peacefully standing there” when he noticed him about 20 minutes from the summit of the mountain during a search.