The search for a missing teenager with non-verbal autism will continue for a third day after he went missing in regional Victoria, while in New South Wales a search is underway for a second autistic teenager after he became separated from his mother on Tuesday night.
Crews could not find 14-year-old William Callaghan after a second cold night of searching in Mount Disappointment, Victoria, where he was last seen about 2.20pm on Monday.
The 14-year-old boy was walking to the summit of the hiking spot when he raced ahead of his family and became separated from them.
Having disappeared wearing only blue trackpants and a hoodie, concerns for his wellbeing grow.
“When you have someone out lost in the bush, we are fighting against time,” Search and Rescue Squad Senior Sergeant Greg Paul told reporters on Tuesday.
More than 200 volunteers joined about 150 police and emergency services who have been looking for William non-stop while temperatures drop below zero.
William went missing without food and water and could have covered a lot of distance, police said.
It is believed he could have tried to walk into a house for food or put himself to bed, and police have asked neighbours to check their outhouses.
“William doesn’t verbalise so if anyone finds him, the best way to communicate with him is to be patient and calm,” Acting Inspector Christine Lalor said.
In NSW, a search is underway for a second autistic teenager, Darshan Sigel, 13.
NSW Police Force
(@nswpolice)Police are seeking assistance to locate missing 13-year-old Darshan Siegel, who was last seen at 10.30pm tonight at a car park on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae, near Port Stpehens. pic.twitter.com/oPkocuYE0g
Sigel was travelling from Sydney to the NSW north coast with his mother when they stopped in a carpark in Heatherbrae near Port Stephens, for a rest.
About 10.30pm police were called to the scene after the teenager walked off and failed to return.
Despite an extensive search of the area by local police and dog squads officers were unable to find the boy overnight. More crews have been brought in to continue the search Wednesday.
Police have described Darshan as being about 180cm tall, with a thin build, and sandy blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a pink hooded jumper covered by a black jacket, black pants, and yellow shoes.
Anyone in the area who sees him has been urged to call triple zero.
