A 14-year-old boy who sparked a major search in Western Australia's Kimberley region has been found.
The aerial and ground search was launched yesterday after Clay Wright disappeared into bush near Willare Roadhouse on the Great Northern Highway.
The teenager was found this morning at a house in the town of Derby, about 40 kilometres away.
Senior Sergeant Dave Withnell of Kimberley Police, who had been coordinating the search, said Clay was trying to avoid police officers when he ran into the bushland on Sunday afternoon.
"Not that police were actively trying to target him or grab him, but he may have thought that so he's run off into the bush," Senior Sergeant Withnell said.
Police had concerns for the boy's safety due to extremely hot conditions in the Kimberley.
Temperatures are expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius today.
Police said the teenager had been with a group of friends when he disappeared into the bush yesterday.
He was now being taken to Derby police station to monitor his condition and welfare.
"From what I understand he is in good health," Senior Sergeant Withnell said.
"It appears he may well have made his way into Derby some time yesterday afternoon.
"But we had to go with worst-case scenario.
"We can officially stand all this search down.
"It's great news."
