After an intensive nine-day search, a missing camper was discovered alive, despite his initial fears of being in grave danger. Troy Milne went missing on October 7 while leaving his camping spot at Woodside Beach near Melbourne to get supplies. The 61-year-old, who suffers from diabetes, sparked concerns that he might have encountered health issues while alone in the wilderness. Surveillance footage showed him appearing disoriented at a service station in Omeo the day after he disappeared.
Following a widespread search in the eastern region of Australia, Troy was eventually located on October 16 by Forest Fire Management Victoria staff near Kirby Cross Track in Gippsland, over 200km away from his original campsite. He had lit a fire near his immobilized Jeep Wrangler to attract attention for help.
Troy, who had been without his insulin for an extended period, recounted being stranded in one place for four days due to his vehicle getting stuck in rough terrain. His strategy of starting a fire paid off when it caught the attention of rescuers, leading to his safe recovery.
Upon being rescued, Troy was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Despite his ordeal, he was found to be in surprisingly good condition. The authorities expressed relief at the positive outcome and credited the fire crews for swiftly responding to his distress signal.
Inspector Wayne Rothwell hailed Troy’s rescue as a remarkable success story, noting the challenges posed by the vast search area. He explained that Troy’s disorientation without his medication likely led him off course, emphasizing the critical role of the fire in guiding rescuers to his location.