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Missing backpacker is found alive Missing backpacker is found alive
(10 minutes later)
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 aunt Caroline Neale told the BBC she "never lost hope". Mr Neale was taken to Katoomba Hospital suffering from dehydration and exposure.His aunt Caroline Neale told the BBC she "never lost hope". Mr Neale was taken to Katoomba Hospital suffering from dehydration and exposure.
His father Richard Cass flew to Sydney to assist in the search.His father Richard Cass flew to Sydney to assist in the search.
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, his passport and other personal papers were still in his room.He was last seen the following morning but his personal belongings including a mobile phone, his passport and other personal papers were still in his room.
When he failed to return for a pre-booked tour a search was launched. When he failed to return for a pre-booked tour of a cave system a search was launched.
His mum has spoken to him. He phoned her from the hospital. He's really emotional but he said he just wanted to hear her voice Caroline Neale, auntHis mum has spoken to him. He phoned her from the hospital. He's really emotional but he said he just wanted to hear her voice Caroline Neale, aunt
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 him at the hospital. Mr Cass has been told that his son has been found and is expected to be reunited with him at the hospital where his condition is said to be stable.
Mr Neale's aunt, Caroline Neale, said family had felt "helpless" as the emergency services searched for her nephew and described their situation as "a nightmare". Mrs Caroline Neale, said her family had felt "helpless" as the emergency services searched for her nephew and described their situation as "a nightmare".
'Remarkable story''Remarkable story'
But speaking to the BBC about the moment she heard he was alive, she said: "My sister phoned me and told me. But speaking first to the BBC about the moment she heard he was alive, she said: "My sister phoned me and told me.
"She just said 'They've found my baby'. It's amazing. He's in hospital at the moment and he is just exhausted."She just said 'They've found my baby'. It's amazing. He's in hospital at the moment and he is just exhausted.
"As far as I know he has just got a few cuts and grazes. He is really tough.""As far as I know he has just got a few cuts and grazes. He is really tough."
She added: "I never lost hope, ever. She added: "I never lost hope, ever. His mum has spoken to him. He phoned her from the hospital.
"His mum has spoken to him. He phoned her from the hospital. He's really emotional but he said he just wanted to hear her voice. He said it kept him going thinking about her. "He's really emotional but he said he just wanted to hear her voice. He said it kept him going thinking about her.
"When he comes home we're going to have a really big party for him.""When he comes home we're going to have a really big party for him."
BBC correspondent Phil Mercer in Sydney described Mr Neale's ordeal as "a remarkable story of resilience".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.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."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."