Survival shows helped lost teen

William Bliss survived without food or water, police said

The family of a teenager who survived two nights in the Australian rainforest say they used to tease him over his interest in Ray Mears's survival shows.

Will Bliss, 19, who had gone for a walk in Otway Ranges National Park in Victoria, was found by a search and rescue team on Thursday morning.

His relieved father Martin, from Plockton, Scotland, said his son had found some of Mears's tips useful.

Police said Will had become disorientated in the dark.

The teenager's father, who is on a family holiday in Australia, will meet his son near Brisbane this weekend.

Martin Bliss, who has spoken to his son by phone, said: "It's been like waking up from a horrible dream.

He's a fit lad who likes walking in the local hills and trout fishing. Obviously he wasn't prepared for this one Martin Bliss

"He said the first night was cold and he made himself a bed out of bracken and the next morning he kept walking along this path, but found nothing so he spent another night out."

Martin Bliss said that at one point his son could hear a helicopter searching for him, but could not see it for the thick canopy of trees.

The Plockton Football Club manager said the teenager loved watching Ray Mears's programmes about surviving extreme conditions and that some of the advice had stuck with him.

Martin Bliss said: "He's a fit lad who likes walking in the local hills and trout fishing. Obviously he wasn't prepared for this one."

He said Will Bliss was found by park rangers and police fed him a "whole steak" at the local station.

Insp Ken Slingsby, of Colac Police, said he had become disorientated when night fell and had been walking around in circles.

The officer said the teenager had "done well" to survive.

He's done well to get out after having brought nothing with him Insp Ken Slingsby

Insp Slingsby said Mr Bliss had gone for a walk to Sabin Falls - a distance of 3.5km (2 miles) - on his own.

His German girlfriend Michelle had decided not to go on the trek and she raised the alarm when he failed to return as planned.

Mr Bliss was only wearing jeans, a T-shirt and light jacket, said police.

Insp Slingsby said: "He had no food or water - he only had his camera with him.

"He was walking in one of the coldest places in Victoria. The temperature can drop to minus four or five degrees Celsius."

When Mr Bliss failed to return his girlfriend, who he had met while backpacking, raised the alarm in Apollo Bay, a town on the coast, after first going to look for him herself.

Insp Slingsby said thick foliage in the area hampered an air search.

The officer added: "He's done well to get out after having brought nothing with him."