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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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A diabetic camper was found alive in Australia on Thursday, nine days after he went missing.
Victoria Police said 61-year-old Cockatoo man Troy Milne lit a fire to draw searchers’ attention in rugged bushland near Buchan.
Why It Matters
Victoria Police said it was assisted by the Department of Energy, Environment & Climate Action and the State Emergency Service in an “extensive” 9-day search for Milne, "after fears he had suffered a medical episode.” Police said Milne is insulin-dependent.
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“We really feared the worst so to be able to contact Troy’s family and give them the fantastic news was a wonderful result,” Wellington Police Service Area Inspector Wayne Rothwell said in a statement.
What To Know
Milne went missing after leaving his campsite at Woodside Beach for a short supply trip on October 7. He was camping with his wife, Australian outlet ABC News reported.
Milne was found near his Jeep Wrangler by Forest Fire Management Victoria staff after reports of a fire near Kirby Cross Track at about 5 p.m. The location is more than two hours away from Woodside Beach.
Police said Milne’s vehicle had bottomed out on the terrain and was not drivable. Milne then lit a fire “in the hope emergency services would respond.”
Rothwell said Milne was without his medication for a “long period,” which left him “disorientated and confused.”
“Troy’s family also expressed how grateful they were that he was returning home safely,” Rothwell said.
Officials believe Milne turned off the highway at some point and became lost in the bushland, Rothwell said.
"He visited a number of towns asking for directions back to Sale, the last location was at Omeo then he headed down the Great Alpine Road and was sighted on CCTV at Swifts Creek," Rothwell told ABC News.
Rothwell told the outlet that Milne was dehydrated but OK.
What People Are Saying
Wellington Police Service Area Inspector Wayne Rothwell, in a statement: “It was a challenging search due to the huge area that Troy had been spotted travelling around so it was extremely difficult to narrow down where to concentrate our efforts.”
Troy Milne, in an interview with 9News: "I thought I was a dead duck in water.”
What Happens Next
Victoria Police said Milne was taken to a hospital for treatment and observation.
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