Key Points
- Jack went missing near Halls Gap, found safe, hugs mum, and requests chicken parmigiana.
- He sent a text to his mother from the top of the Pinnacle Point walking track before becoming uncontactable.
- His family was concerned because the autistic man was unprepared for the expected bad weather conditions.
A relieved 20-year-old man who went missing while hiking in a national park hugged his mother and asked for a chicken parmigiana after being found.
Jack, whose surname has been withheld, went on a solo hike at Halls Gap, about 250km west of Melbourne, on Wednesday.
He sent a text and video to his mother from the top of the Pinnacle Point walking track in the Grampians National Park at about 7.15pm before becoming uncontactable.
Police officers later found Jack's car at nearby School Road.
Earlier, police appealed to the public for assistance in finding Jack.
“Police and family hold concerns for the safety and welfare of Jack as he is autistic and is not equipped for the weather conditions," Victoria Police said.
The police air wing, along with State Emergency Service volunteers, helped with the search on Thursday.
Crews had to contend with rugged terrain, downed trees and slippery conditions after the overnight storm.
But Jack was soon found safe by a family passing by.
"He was happy to be found - he'd spent all night out there," Senior Sergeant Brendan Khan told reporters.
Jack was in good spirits and had consumed water, which helped him to survive.
He didn't have shoes on but was given a pair by one of the family members so he could walk out down the mountain.
Jack's mother said he had scratches all over his arms and legs but had kept walking to save himself.
"He was just relieved, we had a hug - he's a man of few words," she said.
"He's asked to go to the local hotel for a chicken parmigiana."
