Luke Shambrook, the 11-year-old who survived four nights in rugged Victorian bushland, remains in the Royal Children’s hospital in Melbourne in a stable condition.
A paediatrician at the Children’s hospital at Westmead in Sydney, Professor David Isaacs, said Luke’s survival was remarkable, but not unheard of.
“The body does have some strong defence mechanisms against starvation – children have been found under rubble after building collapses who have been up there for anything up to a week without water or anything.
“So the human body does have ways of dealing with disaster, however of course, children are much more vulnerable than adults.
“It’s just so wonderful that he’s alive.”
Rescuers said Luke must have shown an enormous level of strength and resilience to survive four nights in the terrain. He was suffering from hypothermia, exhaustion and dehydration when he was found.
Isaacs said it was not surprising that Luke was hypothermic after four nights in temperatures as low as 3C.
“What they would have done is warm him up gradually, using a space blanket at first and then continuing to warm him slowly so as not to shock his system.”
Luke, who has autism, went missing from the Candlebark campsite near Lake Eildon last Friday.
He was found at about 11.55am on Tuesday after Acting Sergeant Brad Pascoe from the police air wing saw him out of the corner of his eye from the police search and rescue helicopter.
“It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make me get the guys to turn the aircraft around and have a further look,” Pascoe said on Tuesday.
“As we got closer and were able to have a better look at him, we saw that it was a person on the ground and we were able to train the camera in and confirm that it was actually Luke.
A statement from members of Luke’s extended family was released on a support page on social media, thanking search staff and volunteers for their support of Luke’s parents, Tim and Rachel.
“On behalf of the Shambrook family we would like to extend our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for the support shown to Tim and Rachel,” the statement said.
“They are incredibly grateful for all the effort put in by the volunteers. From those who helped with the search, to the ladies handing out food, to the babysitters at home.
“[Luke] gave Tim a big thumbs up when they saw each other. The family are very happy to be reunited.”
