HOBART (Australia) - A MELBOURNE school group trekking in the Tasmanian wilderness has been the focus of a second separate search and rescue operation in less than a week.
Rescuers on Monday found a 14-year-old Gilson College schoolboy after he went missing from the group and spent a night in freezing conditions in central Tasmania's rugged Walls of Jerusalem National Park reported Australian Associated Press.
Police say he became separated from the group while taking a toilet break, sparking a major air and land search of the area by more than two dozen rescuers. He was found shaken but otherwise uninjured about 1pm on Monday, police say.
Last Wednesday three of the college's year nine boys went missing in the nearby Lake McKenzie area, sparking a major search.
They weren't found until Friday and police questioned school officials about why they waited a day-and-a-half before calling for help. The three boys also escaped unhurt.
Gilson College director of education Brian Mercer said the school was relieved the latest teenager to go missing had been found safe and well. All of them had food and camping equipment, he said.
The school group of 59 year nine students had set out on their trek last Tuesday and were due to complete their bushwalk on Sunday.
"The students on the camp had been prepared for the resiliency training program but we will be considering what steps need to be taken in future to ensure that this type of situation does not occur again,'' Mr Mercer said today. "The priority for all of our schools is the welfare and safety of students at school and at related school activities wherever they are held.''
Mr Mercer said the school was grateful for the efforts of rescuers. -- AAP
