Post by Cullyn Of Cerrmor on Jan 2, 2009 9:19:38 GMT 9.5
We're idiots: youths rescued from bush
January 1, 2009 - 5:54PM
Two teenagers who were missing in rugged bush in Victoria's south-west after trying to sneak into a music festival without tickets say they are "idiots".
The pair, Harry Wild and Ryan Hurley, both 19, who were reunited with their parents on Thursday, said they had been trying to find a back way into the Falls Music Festival, near Lorne on the Great Ocean Road.
But their plans went horribly awry when the pair lost mobile phone contact and ended up getting lost for three days.
A police helicopter spotted the boys, who are from Mildura in the state's north, early on Thursday.
Rescuers trekked 400 metres through thick terrain to meet them.
Mr Wild said they were foolish to try and sneak into the festival.
"We're idiots, and we know we're idiots at the moment. We think we are so silly," he told reporters soon after the pair emerged from the bush.
The two men huddled together through three cold, wet nights.
"Very close. Very close. It was nice and cosy," Mr Hurley said.
Mr Wild said: "All night. All night. I had my hands inside his little jumper to keep my hands warm."
Police inspector Bill Weatherly, who helped co-ordinate the search, said the youths were relieved when rescuers arrived.
"For a couple of boys that have been out in the bush for three days they are in remarkable condition actually," he told AAP.
"They were certainly cold, one of them had a windcheater that was wet, but inside he said it was quite warm, the other guy had a flannel shirt on.
"You could see that they are tired but the two boys they are in great nick."
Insp Weatherly said police drove the youths' parents to a track near where they were found.
He said it was fantastic to see sons and parents reunited.
"Very emotional a lot of hugs, tears from the mums and even from the dads," Insp Weatherly said.
The boys had done the right thing by remaining in the one spot, he said.
"They basically stayed in the one position from the time they lost communication with us on Tuesday afternoon," Insp Weatherly said.
"They just walked up and down from a little creek bed if they needed a drink."
After receiving a check-up on the track the boys were taken to the Lorne police station to be fed and de-briefed.
Police lost mobile phone contact with the boys on Tuesday.
More than 60 people including police, State Emergency Service volunteers and local bushwalkers were involved in the search.
Insp Weatherly said he did not think the boys would be made to pay for the search.
"I don't believe we are looking at anything other than re-uniting two kids with their families, these things happen."
Harry Wild's father Ron told AAP on Wednesday his son had lost his wallet with his festival ticket in it earlier in the week.
© 2009 AAP
January 1, 2009 - 5:54PM
Two teenagers who were missing in rugged bush in Victoria's south-west after trying to sneak into a music festival without tickets say they are "idiots".
The pair, Harry Wild and Ryan Hurley, both 19, who were reunited with their parents on Thursday, said they had been trying to find a back way into the Falls Music Festival, near Lorne on the Great Ocean Road.
But their plans went horribly awry when the pair lost mobile phone contact and ended up getting lost for three days.
A police helicopter spotted the boys, who are from Mildura in the state's north, early on Thursday.
Rescuers trekked 400 metres through thick terrain to meet them.
Mr Wild said they were foolish to try and sneak into the festival.
"We're idiots, and we know we're idiots at the moment. We think we are so silly," he told reporters soon after the pair emerged from the bush.
The two men huddled together through three cold, wet nights.
"Very close. Very close. It was nice and cosy," Mr Hurley said.
Mr Wild said: "All night. All night. I had my hands inside his little jumper to keep my hands warm."
Police inspector Bill Weatherly, who helped co-ordinate the search, said the youths were relieved when rescuers arrived.
"For a couple of boys that have been out in the bush for three days they are in remarkable condition actually," he told AAP.
"They were certainly cold, one of them had a windcheater that was wet, but inside he said it was quite warm, the other guy had a flannel shirt on.
"You could see that they are tired but the two boys they are in great nick."
Insp Weatherly said police drove the youths' parents to a track near where they were found.
He said it was fantastic to see sons and parents reunited.
"Very emotional a lot of hugs, tears from the mums and even from the dads," Insp Weatherly said.
The boys had done the right thing by remaining in the one spot, he said.
"They basically stayed in the one position from the time they lost communication with us on Tuesday afternoon," Insp Weatherly said.
"They just walked up and down from a little creek bed if they needed a drink."
After receiving a check-up on the track the boys were taken to the Lorne police station to be fed and de-briefed.
Police lost mobile phone contact with the boys on Tuesday.
More than 60 people including police, State Emergency Service volunteers and local bushwalkers were involved in the search.
Insp Weatherly said he did not think the boys would be made to pay for the search.
"I don't believe we are looking at anything other than re-uniting two kids with their families, these things happen."
Harry Wild's father Ron told AAP on Wednesday his son had lost his wallet with his festival ticket in it earlier in the week.
© 2009 AAP