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Missing backpacker is found alive | Missing backpacker is found alive |
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A 19-year-old British backpacker missing in Australia for 12 days has been found alive. | A 19-year-old British backpacker missing in Australia for 12 days has been found alive. |
Jamie Neale, from Muswell Hill, north London, went missing in dense bushland in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. | Jamie Neale, from Muswell Hill, north London, went missing in dense bushland in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. |
New South Wales Police said two "bushwalkers" alerted emergency services after finding Mr Neale. | New South Wales Police said two "bushwalkers" alerted emergency services after finding Mr Neale. |
His father Richard Cass flew to Sydney to assist in the search. Mr Neale was taken to Katoomba Hospital suffering from dehydration and exposure. | His father Richard Cass flew to Sydney to assist in the search. Mr Neale was taken to Katoomba Hospital suffering from dehydration and exposure. |
New South Wales Police said Mr Neale had checked into the Katoomba Youth Hostel on 2 July. | New South Wales Police said Mr Neale had checked into the Katoomba Youth Hostel on 2 July. |
He was last seen the following morning but his personal belongings including a mobile phone and personal papers were still in his room. | He was last seen the following morning but his personal belongings including a mobile phone and personal papers were still in his room. |
When he failed to return a search was launched. | When he failed to return a search was launched. |
'Remarkable story' | |
It involved units from the the Blue Mountains Local Area Command, a dog unit, the Rural Fire Service (RFS), State Emergency Service (SES), Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). | It involved units from the the Blue Mountains Local Area Command, a dog unit, the Rural Fire Service (RFS), State Emergency Service (SES), Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). |
He was eventually found after nearly two weeks near what police have described as the Narrow Neck fire trail, near Katoomba. | He was eventually found after nearly two weeks near what police have described as the Narrow Neck fire trail, near Katoomba. |
Officers reached him in a Rural Fire Service vehicle before he was taken to hospital. | Officers reached him in a Rural Fire Service vehicle before he was taken to hospital. |
Mr Cass has been told that his son has been found and is expected to be reunited with his son at the hospital. | Mr Cass has been told that his son has been found and is expected to be reunited with his son at the hospital. |
Mr Neale's aunt, Caroline Neale, told BBC London his family had felt "helpless" as the emergency services searched for the 19-year-old and described their situation as "a nightmare". | |
BBC correspondent Phil Mercer in Sydney described Mr Neale's ordeal as "a remarkable story of resilience". | |
Rescuers had been hampered during the 12 days of their search by poor winter weather, including thick fog, rain and freezing temperatures, he said. | |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The Australian police have notified British consular staff that Mr Neale has been found alive. We're providing consular assistance." |