A 14-year-old boy has miraculously been found nearly 24 hours after disappearing into bush land in Western Australia, leading his father to candidly reveal his relief on camera.
Blake Burke’s trail bike broke down about 1pm on Sunday as he was riding through the Julimar State Forest alone, The West reported.
Police began a search when the teenager didn’t return home, and found his bike propped against a tree about 6pm.
Unsure of how to make it out of the forest, Blake had wandered further into the forest, finding water in an abandoned shack and sleeping outdoors on a hill.
Blake Burke (pictured) was lost in the Julimar State Forest on Sunday night after his trail bike broke down
The next afternoon, as temperatures soared to 36 degrees, Blake was found by passing motorists, who were taking British relatives to see the bush.
Blake told reporters he was on a track when he saw a family coming past in a vehicle and was able to wave them down.
Celebration broke out at search headquarters, with the 14-year-old’s father, Nathan, jumping on camera to thank search crews.
‘Thank Christ it’s over with, he’s a tough little f***er,’ he said.
His father, Nathan (pictured), was delighted when the 14-year-old was found, praising his boy as a ‘tough little f***er’ and thanking more than 60 people who helped look for him
Blake had abandoned his broken down bike (pictured), which was found by apprehensive police on Sunday evening
‘Everybody’s put in a top effort and we’ve got a good result, that’s all I can say, thank Christ.
‘I can’t thank everyone enough, bloody awesome.’
More than 60 police officers and SES volunteers, along with search dogs and mounted police, were involved in the massive search for the young man.
Blake came out of the ordeal in remarkably good condition, and was able to take himself over to a waiting ambulance to be treated for dehydration.