This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8150982.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Missing backpacker is found alive Missing backpacker is found alive
(about 1 hour 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 mother Jean Neale told the BBC she "had no doubt" her son would be found alive. He has been taken to Katoomba Hospital with 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 of a cave system 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, aunt He just said that he wanted to hear my voice, that he didn't think he'd see me again Jean Neale, mother
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 and about nine miles from where he went missing.He was eventually found after nearly two weeks near what police have described as the Narrow Neck fire trail, near Katoomba and about nine miles from where he went missing.
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.
Mrs Neale told the BBC: "I always stayed positive. I always knew that I would see Jamie again.
"He's very stubborn, he's very persistent and he's very resourceful, so I had no doubt that he would get through it.
"He just said that he wanted to hear my voice, that he didn't think he'd see me again, and I told him, you don't get rid of me that easily."
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 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.
Mrs Caroline Neale, said her family had felt "helpless" as the emergency services searched for her nephew and described their situation as "a nightmare". Jamie's aunt, Caroline Neale, said her family had felt "helpless" as the emergency services searched for her nephew and described their situation as "a nightmare".
But speaking first 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. His mum has spoken to him. He phoned her from the hospital. She added: "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.
And the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney said police were on the verge of calling off the search just hours before Mr Neale was found.And the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney said police were on the verge of calling off the search just hours before Mr Neale was found.
The search 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).
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."