Mount Duneed boy Toby, 11, found safe after major search operation at Anglesea

Toby was found late at night 11km from where he went missing after a nine-hour major search operation on the Surf Coast.

A young boy with autism was found late at night more than 10km away from where he went missing in Anglesea after a major search on the Surf Coast.

Mount Duneed boy Toby, 11, went missing after running from his family’s car near a service station on the Great Ocean Road about 2.30pm Monday.

His disappearance sparked a major search operation, which continued after dark.

Local police, SES volunteers and Anglesea residents scoured bushland near the Anglesea River while a chopper searched from above.

Officials issued an alert, calling for the public’s help.

Toby, 11, was found safe after he went missing for about nine hours on Monday.

“Toby has autism and is described as having blond shoulder-length hair,”

a Victoria Police spokesman said.

“He was wearing a light blue jacket with a hood with white polar fleece

inside and black shorts, as seen in the image provided.”

About 11.30pm, after nine hours of searching, a member of the public found Toby near Aireys Inlet, about 11km from where he went missing.

It is not clear how Toby covered the distance but there are no continuous paths between the towns, except along the beach itself.

There were reports Toby may have been hiding for some of the time he was missing.

Police said he was assessed by paramedics at the scene but did not require any treatment and was reunited with his relieved family.

An Anglesea community page on social media was full of concern after news of Toby’s disappearance spread, with locals uniting to help find the boy.

Residents volunteered to search various parts of the town well into the evening.

Locals rejoiced when news broke that Toby had been found safe and well.

“What fabulous news, thank you to all emergency services,” one wrote on social media.

“What a relief,” another said.

Earlier: Police search for missing autistic boy near Anglesea River

A police helicopter and emergency services were on scene in Anglesea late on Monday after a young boy went missing in the Surf Coast town.

Police confirmed an 11-year-old Mount Duneed boy with autism named Toby went missing after running from a vehicle on the Great Ocean Road about 2.30pm. They believe he may be hiding.

SES searching for a boy missing near the Anglesea river mouth. Picture: Alison Wynd

The search for Toby was continuing after dark with emergency service scouring the area surrounding the mouth of the Anglesea River.

“Toby has autism and is described as having blond shoulder length hair,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.

“He was wearing a light blue jacket with a hood with white polar fleece inside and black shorts as seen in the image provided.”

Investigators have released an image of Toby in the hope that someone can provide information on his current whereabouts.

A police helicopter could be seen searching the area on either side of the river about 6pm, while SES crews could be heard calling out the boy’s name.

The helicopter was at one stage seen hovering over the caravan park in the east of the town, before making its way west to Point Roadknight.

The focus of the search appeared to be in the area around the river and it’s mouth, as well as the dunes by the ocean.

Locals also joined in the search, looking through bushes in the scrubland bordering the river with the day’s light beginning to fade.

Anglesea is a popular tourist destination, and is often busy during school holidays.

Anyone with information is urged to contact triple-0 (000).

Originally published as Mount Duneed boy Toby, 11, found safe after major search operation at Anglesea