Young boy found after going missing for more than 24 hours on his family’s Strathewen property

A determined 11-year-old boy whose disappearance sparked a major search operation used Bear Grylls-inspired tactics to survive icy temperatures, heavy rain and gusty winds.

Walter Adams 11, went missing from his Strathewen property late on Sunday night.

A boy who went missing for almost 24 hours ate grass and drank water from gumleaves on his country property northeast of Melbourne while dozens searched for him.

Strathewen mum-of-three Belinda Adams said when 11-year-old son Walter went missing on their 60ha Beale Ave property, it was a “living nightmare” for her and husband Jason.

“It was just overwhelming; to have Walter back in my arms was the best,” Mrs Adams said.

“I just hugged him and told him I loved him.”

She said the ordeal was “definitely up there” with having survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, which destroyed many neighbouring homes and killed 27 residents.

Walter remained tight-lipped about his adventure yesterday but the family believe he may have been attending to a calf before he failed to come home on Sunday night.

“I felt like I was watching a movie,” Mrs Adams said about the search-and-rescue operation.

“His dad didn’t stop looking for him; he was drenched with water, he just kept going even though he was exhausted.

“He said he just had to find Walter.”

Walter Adams has been found.

SES were called to Beal Ave, Strathewen at around 11.50am on Sunday.

Walter’s two sisters — Esmay, 9, and Charlotte, 15 — also joined the effort, along with police including the dog squad and the air wing, the SES, friends and strangers.

One of Walter’s uncles travelled more than 300km from Warrnambool to join the search.

Around 11.30pm on Monday, Walter made his way home, much to the relief of his distressed parents.

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“There is no doubt he is resilient,” Mrs Adams said.

“I just wanted him home.

“Paramedics were pleased he had waterproof clothing on, it protected the core part of his body.

“He was exhausted.

“He told me he drank water from gumleaves and ate the grass. I think he has watched Bear Grylls.”

The temperature dropped to as low as 6C during Walter’s absence, with around 23mm of rain and gusty winds adding to his ordeal.

Walter spent most of yesterday sleeping on a couch after his 24 hours alone in the elements.

The Adams family said they were “so grateful” to everyone who helped in the search effort.

“Everyone was just unbelievable with helping out,” Mrs Adams said.