{"id":137896,"date":"2021-09-06T11:03:22","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T11:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=137896"},"modified":"2021-09-06T11:03:22","modified_gmt":"2021-09-06T11:03:22","slug":"moment-police-helicopter-spots-missing-autistic-boy-3-drinking-from-muddy-puddle-after-72-hours-alone-in-oz-outback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/moment-police-helicopter-spots-missing-autistic-boy-3-drinking-from-muddy-puddle-after-72-hours-alone-in-oz-outback\/","title":{"rendered":"Moment police helicopter spots missing autistic boy, 3, drinking from muddy puddle after 72 hours alone in Oz Outback"},"content":{"rendered":"

THIS is the incredible moment a police helicopter spotted a missing three-year-old autistic boy drinking muddy water from a creek after 72 hours alone.<\/p>\n

The dramatic footage reveals the moment Anthony \u201cAJ\u201d Elfalak, was found at a creek\u00a0in the\u00a0New South Wales\u00a0Hunter region\u00a0 following a three- day- search. <\/p>\n


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The young boy who is nonverbal, vanished from his family\u2019s rural home at Yengo Drive in Putty on Friday.<\/p>\n

His disappearance sparked a massive search operation at the family\u2019s 650-acre property, by police, emergency services and volunteers, reports News.com.au.<\/p>\n

And on Monday the little boy was found alive and well, covered in mud after spending three days by himself outside.<\/p>\n

In the clip shared by New South Wales Police, a rescue can be heard saying "I've got the boy."<\/p>\n

Authorities said AJ had a few scrapes to his lower legs and his clothes were wet but was otherwise healthy. <\/p>\n

His relieved dad Anthony said it's a "miracle."<\/p>\n

He told reporters at the scene: "He\u2019s just clinging to Mum.<\/p>\n

"I know I was acting frantic, but no one can understand what it\u2019s like going through what we went through. I feel incredible.<\/p>\n

"It\u2019s a miracle. He has been bitten by ants and he has fallen over but he is alive. He is alive. It\u2019s amazing. <\/p>\n

"My leg, my hips, my ankles, I can\u2019t walk. I have been in the bush for four days with no sleep. We didn\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n

'IT'S A MIRACLE'<\/h3>\n

"He was all wet and he was drinking water \u2026 We had searched that area head to toe, SES, police the first day it happened, I went around with the police, I don\u2019t know. It\u2019s a miracle."<\/p>\n

Superintendent Tracy Chapman from the Hunter Valley Police District said officers were able to pinpoint the boy after seeing "some movement." <\/p>\n

She said: "They were able to clearly identify a small boy in a puddle in a creek bed. <\/p>\n

"(Being) so close to water is potentially what gave him that opportunity to survive."<\/p>\n

NSW Ambulance\u2019s Gerry Pyke said the three-year-old's spirits "picked up" once he got a cuddle from his mum and dad.<\/p>\n

"He was slipping (into sleep) the whole time which (is) not surprising, once he woke up all he wanted to do was eat," Mr Pyke said.<\/p>\n

"He got stuck into about three slices of pizza and a banana so he is pretty good."<\/p>\n

Mr Elfalak said the boy would be taken to Singleton hospital for a full check-up.<\/p>\n


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