‘Miracle’ as Luke Shambrook, 11, found after four-day search at Lake Eildon

THE discovery of lost boy Luke Shambrook alive after four days — 98 hours and 25 minutes — in rugged mountainous terrain has been hailed as a “miracle”. SEE THE INCREDIBLE RESCUE FOOTAGE

THE discovery of lost boy Luke Shambrook alive after four days — 98 hours and 25 minutes — in rugged mountainous terrain has been hailed as a “miracle”.

The 11-year-old boy, who has autism, is recovering in the Royal Children’s Hospital with his relieved parents after he was spotted by the police air wing walking on a ridge 3km southwest from where he vanished on Good Friday.

LUKE’S SURVIVAL IS A MEDICAL MARVEL

AGAINST THE ODDS, RESCUERS KEPT BELIEVING

INCREDIBLE RESCUE: FOOTAGE SHOWS MOMENT RESCUERS FIND LUKE

EDITORIAL: THIS IS THE MIRACLE WE WERE HOPING FOR

Police search-and-rescue officers rushed to the top of Auriferous Spur, a track 620m above sea level, to find Luke — who had gone for days without food and water — sitting in the thick scrub, exhausted, dehydrated and suffering hypothermia, just before midday. Within minutes, he was stretchered to an ambulance, where he was kissed by his overwhelmed parents.

Luke’s family were “rejoicing”, thanking everybody who had rallied to find him.

“We’re very happy obviously that Luke was found alive and well, even after such a long time.

“We’ve been just so overwhelmed by the response and we’re very thankful that we live in a society that puts a lot of effort into finding children who go missing,” Luke’s uncle, Peter Roberts, said.

Another member of the family said she was “delighted, thrilled and appreciative” as she thanked Bush Search and Rescue personnel over a sausage sizzle.

Luke’s parents are overcome with emotion as he is put into an ambulance. Picture: Mike Keating

Luke’s mum watches on as he’s placed into the ambulance. Picture: Mike Keating

Victoria Police Acting Commander Rick Nugent said Luke was now reunited with his “very, very happy and relieved family”.

“In some way it’s a miracle. You will have all seen the terrain here, how thick it is, how cold it’s been in the night,” Commander Nugent said.

“We’ve had rain, most of this morning.

“To spot him now is an absolute relief and the joy felt by all of us that he has been found is just hard to describe.”

He described Luke as a “courageous, resilient, strong young man”.

“Eleven years of age after four days and we’ve all seen the terrain he was lost in, that is just amazing.”

Acting Sergeant Brad ­Pascoe from the police air wing spoke of the moment he ­spotted Luke.

“It was quite amazing. Out the corner of my eye, I just caught a little flash of something. It wasn’t much but it was enough for me to get the guys to turn the aircraft around and go back and have another look.

“We were just absolutely over the moon. All of us in the crew are parents ourselves and we can only imagine what the parents of Luke have been going through and it’s such a great reward for everybody’s efforts.”

How the search unfolded.

Luke disappeared from Devil Cove campground about 9.30am on Friday and his beanie was found on Auriferous Spur, about 1km west, ­yesterday afternoon.

He was found in cold and wet conditions almost a day later. Police had described the search as a “life and death struggle” and a “race against the clock” as wet weather closed in.

But hordes of volunteers were spurred on by the rain, believing the harsh conditions increased the urgency of the search effort.

When rescuers found him they gave him bread and water, holding his hand and promising Easter eggs when he reached the top.

Commander Nugent said it may never be known how far Luke actually walked.

“It’s hard to say and we will probably never know how many kilometres he did walk over the four days to get to there,” he said.

The operations centre at Fraser National Park erupted with cheers as the good news flowed in.

A group of female volunteers hugged and cried, while two female mounted officers wiped tears from their eyes.

Several hundred volunteers poured into the campground each day in search for Luke.

Some took to canoes and jet skis to search the shallows of Lake Eildon, while others from far corners of Victoria used their map-reading and bushwalking expertise to look for Luke. Commander Nugent thanked everyone who had helped to find Luke.

Peter Donnelly, a Parks Victoria caretaker who originally reported Luke missing, was “over the moon” when he heard the news.

TIMELINE OF THE SEARCH FOR LUKE

FRIDAY 9.30am: Dad Tim Shambrook thinks Luke is with grandmother before realising he has wandered off by himself. He is last seen at Candlebark campground, walking north of the Devil Cove camping area. Dad immediately phones police.

FRIDAY AM: Police, along relatives and friends from 10 other families the Shambrooks are holidaying with, launch comprehensive search of nearby area.

FRIDAY PM: Victoria Police Airwing joins search scouring area around Lake Eildon. SES volunteers from Alexandra and Mansfield join the hunt.

SATURDAY FIRST LIGHT: Searchers comb rugged terrain of loose rock, thick trees, gullies and spurs, as well as the lake foreshore. Police snorklers also search nearby water. Sergeant Greg Paul tells media Luke’s autism means he may not know he is lost.

SATURDAY 1PM: Family thank public for ongoing support.

SUNDAY 7AM: 140 volunteers turn up to help in the search.

SUNDAY 1PM: Senior Sergeant Ralph Willingham reads family statement: “On this Easter Sunday we are grateful for everyone’s compassion and caring. Thank you for the special effort and huge support in trying to locate our son. We just want our dear son Luke found.” Sen-Sgt Willingham says good weather offers hope: “We’re comfortable he is still alive.”

SUNDAY: Police search tents and cars in case Luke has crawled into one.

SUNDAY 5.30PM: Unconfirmed sighting of Luke crying while sitting on a log off a remote track used by 4WD enthusiasts, about 20km south of the campsite where he was last seen by motorist.

SUNDAY 10PM: Search is called off.

MONDAY 7AM: Search resumes with volunteers coming from as far as Cobram, 220km north of the search site, to scour 10sq km around Devil Cove campground.

MONDAY PM: An SMS alert is sent to all mobile and home phones within a certain range of Lake Eildon asking people to look out for Luke.

MONDAY 1PM: “We continue to express our thanks to all involved in searching for Luke. Everyone’s ongoing involvement and support is overwhelming and still greatly needed,” the Shambrooks say.

MONDAY 3-4PM: A beanie belonging to Luke is found to the west of the campsite.

TUESDAY 7AM: Search resumes with Dog Squad, Mounted Branch, Air Wing, police motorcycles and 4WDs.

TUESDAY 11.49AM: Picture of Luke’s beanie released.

TUESDAY 11.55AM: Luke is spotted by Police Airwing down embankment off Skyline Road, just 3km from the place he was last seen.

TUESDAY 12.01PM: Victoria Police officially announceS “fantastic news” that Luke has been found.

TUESDAY 12.37PM: Search and Rescue members reach Luke and paramedics provide medical treatment.

TUESDAY 12.45PM: Luke reunited with parents. He is taken to Alexandra Hospital for treatment for hypothermia, dehydration and exhaustion.

TUESDAY 2.50PM: Luke driven from Alexandra Hospital to Royal Children’s Hospital by ambulance.

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