3-year-old boy found after 3 days missing in Australian woods

CANBERRA, Australia — A 3-year-old boy clad simply in a T-shirt and diaper was found three days after he went missing in an Australian woodland area.

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Anthony “AJ” Elfalak was found Monday cupping water into his hand from a creek after going missing from his family’s remote property in the village of Putty.

Hundreds of people helped in the search efforts. A crew of police helicopters found the child, who has autism and is non verbal, sitting in the shallow water creek about 1,540 feet from his home.

He appeared to be in good condition but was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Father Anthony Elfalak said his son suffered numerous ant bites, had diaper rash and had some small cuts.

“It’s a miracle,” Elfalak said. “He’s just clinging to mum. As soon as he heard his mum, he opened his eyes and looked at her and fell asleep.”

The area where AJ was found had been previously searched.

A State Emergency Service officer was able to reach him. He placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder, and AJ looked at him with an ear-to-ear smile.

Gerry Pyke, the paramedic who examined AJ, called the boy a “little survivor.” AJ fell asleep in the ambulance after being reunited with his parents. He awoke hungry and ended up eating three slices of pizza and a banana.

“Little AJ’s condition was quite remarkable,” Pyke said. “He was very, very thankful. I could see that in his eyes.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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