Missing camper tells of miracle rescue after nine-day ordeal

A diabetic camper missing for 9 days successful distant Victorian bushland has told really he feared he would not past nan ordeal.

Troy Milne, 61, was rescued astir 5pm yesterday adjacent nan municipality of Buchan successful nan eastbound Gippsland region, erstwhile he lit a occurrence to alert searchers.

Today he arrived astatine Essendon Airport successful outer Melbourne connected his measurement for infirmary curen and said exclusively pinch 9News.

"I thought I was a dormant duck successful h2o ... I conscionable drank tons of water," he said.

Milne lit nan occurrence adjacent nan Kirby Cross Track and succeeded successful drafting firefighters to nan area.

They yet recovered him aft spotting his Jeep Wrangler SUV adjacent to nan mini blaze.

The conveyance had bottomed retired connected nan terrain and was not drivable, prompting Milne to ray a occurrence successful nan dream emergency services would respond.

He was taken to a section infirmary for curen and observation.

Milne went missing aft leaving his campsite astatine Woodside Beach for a speedy travel cod supplies past Tuesday.

It triggered an extended nine-day hunt to effort and find nan insulin-dependent diabetic amid fears he had suffered a aesculapian episode.

Police said uncovering Milne live was a singular result.

"We really feared nan worst truthful to beryllium capable to interaction Troy's family and springiness them nan awesome news was a awesome result," Inspector Wayne Rothwell said.

"Troy was without his medicine for a agelong play which near him disorientated and confused truthful we judge he turned disconnected nan road astatine immoderate constituent and became mislaid successful nan bush.

"It was a challenging hunt owed to nan immense area that Troy had been spotted travelling astir truthful it was highly difficult to constrictive down wherever to ore our efforts.

"Once Troy lit nan fire, it drew nan attraction of our occurrence crews who quickly responded and located him."

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