Missing UK backpacker is found alive in Australia

BBC NEWS | UK | England | London | Missing backpacker is found alive

A 19-year-old British backpacker missing in Australia for 12 days has been found alive.

Jamie Neale, from Muswell Hill, north London, went missing in dense bushland in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.

New South Wales Police said two "bushwalkers" alerted emergency services after finding Mr Neale.

His father Richard Cass flew to Sydney to assist in the search. Mr Neale was taken to Katoomba Hospital suffering from dehydration and exposure.
New South Wales Police said Mr Neale had checked into the Katoomba Youth Hostel on 2 July.

He was last seen the following morning but his personal belongings including a mobile phone and personal papers were still in his room.

When he failed to return a search was launched.

It involved units from the the Blue Mountains Local Area Command, a dog unit, the Rural Fire Service (RFS), State Emergency Service (SES), Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).