Australian backpacker Andrew Gaskell found in Malaysian jungle ‘covered in leeches’

AN Australian backpacker who has been missing for two weeks has been found in the Malaysian jungle, emaciated and covered with leeches.

Tasmanian Andrew Gaskell being carried from a Bomba M17 at Mulu airport. Picture: Sarawak Fire and Rescue department

AN Australian backpacker whose disappearance sparked a desperate search has been found in the Malaysian jungle, emaciated and covered in leeches.

Tasmanian man Andrew Gaskell was found in the Mulu National Park by local search and rescue crews on Tuesday.

He had been reported missing by family two weeks earlier after he had set off on a hike in the Sarawak park.

The area had poor mobile coverage, and when his family did not hear from him for a number of days, Tasmania Police were alerted.

Last night, Tasmanian Police released a statement saying Mr Gaskell had been located and was being assessed in a Malaysian hospital.

He was found conscious and able to speak to his rescuers, but emaciated and with leeches all over his legs, the Borneo Post reported.

Mr Gaskell told ABC news he had resorted to eating wild ferns from the jungle floor.

“These last few days I’ve picked up a few wild ferns from the jungle, apart from that I’ve eaten nothing. (I was) just getting weaker and weaker every day,” he said.

When asked if he would return home after his life-threatening ordeal, Mr Gaskell said he was “still keen to travel”.

His mother Elizabeth Gaskell said she “felt amazing relief” when her youngest son phoned to tell her Andrew had been found.

“I’m really thankful to all the volunteers that helped and I’m so thankful to God he’s safe,” she said in a statement to Sky News.

Andrew Gaskell says he’s still keen to travel after his search for self discovery turned to disaster. Picture: Facebook

Before heading off on his travels, Mr Gaskell revealed the purpose of his journey was to “come to some sort of conclusion as to who I am”.

He wrote on his blog that he would be embarking on a journey of self discovery “somewhere in Asia”.

“In August 2016, I will be embarking on a journey beginning somewhere in Asia and heading in a generally westward direction for an indefinite period of time,” he wrote.

“My main travel goals are to have genuine cultural experiences with local people outside of the mainstream tourist attractions; and to climb a lot of mountains.

“And maybe, just maybe, in the course of my travels I’ll come to some sort of conclusion as to who I am and what I want to do with my life. And so begins my journey beyond the horizon.”

Mr Gaskell’s search for meaning turned to disaster after he was long overdue from contacting his family when he should have returned from a week-long hike.

Just two days ago, an online fundraising campaign was established to raise money to “Help find Andrew Gaskell”.

Image from day six in the search for Andrew Gaskell. His brother, father, and family friends joined Malaysian emergency crews in the search. Picture: Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department

Funds raised were to go towards covering the accommodation, flights and travel costs for Ms Gaskell’s father and younger brother who had travelled to Malaysia to assist with the search.

“Andrew Gaskell is currently missing in Malaysia and his family is trying to use any means necessary to find him,” the page read.

“The money raised will go directly to Andrew’s family and help cover accommodation, flights and any other expenses incurred during the search for Andrew.”

Contributors were encouraged to donate or share the story to help with the search for the “kind and loving young man”.

In only two days, the campaign raised more than $7000.

Mr Gaskell’s family has thanked Malaysian authorities for their assistance.

A friend of Mr Gaskell told Sky News the backpacker’s loved ones were very happy and relieved he would be coming home and could “continue his journey”.