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‘We’ll return’: Luke Shambrook’s family defiant

The mother of a boy with autism who went missing for five days in a Victorian national park says the family will return to the site for their annual camping trip in spite of the ordeal.

Eleven-year-old Luke Shambrook was found dehydrated, exhausted and hypothermic – but very much alive – five days after going missing from his family’s campsite at Lake Eidon, Victoria, on Good Friday.

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He was spotted on Tuesday by a member of the Victoria Police Air Wing.

Speaking to media at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne on Thursday, Luke’s mother Rachel said her son was still recovering from five days of exposure to the elements. but importantly, he had managed to have a small taste of the Easter eggs he missed out last Sunday.

“Luke’s still very tired,” Ms Shambrook said.

“He’s had a good recovery since we first got him but he’s got ongoing needs,” she said.

“He’s not going to be back to himself by next week. It’s going to take him longer than that.”

Ms Shambrook said Luke had developed a special bond with some of his rescuers, who had been to visit him during his recovery.

Her son’s calm nature may have contributed to his survival, she said.

“Luke is very much on the passive part of the [autistic] spectrum,” she said.

“He [has a] more relaxed and cruisy approach to life in general.

“He doesn’t panic. So he didn’t spin out due to fear and stress.”

“I think that probably got him through.”

Luke’s parents thanked everyone involved in the search for their son.

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