A MELBOURNE man who abandoned his vehicle in Swan Hill before going “off the grid” has been found safe and well, before continuing on his adventure across southern Australia.
Samuel Thomson’s disappearance on the border sparked a large interstate search more than a week ago, with local officers called to help scour land, water and from the air.
The 19-year-old made contact with police after arriving in Mount Gambier on Friday evening.
Mildura police Inspector Bec Olsen said Samuel’s family were “clearly relieved to speak with him”.
Police had held grave fears for Samuel after he left his Lysterfield South home on February 10 to go camping, leaving a “cryptic” note inside a copy of the book Into the Wild that he was going off the grid.
Insp Olsen told The Guardian that Samuel was “continuing on his adventure”.
“South Australia Police were satisfied he was healthy and could continue that safely,” she said.
“We don’t discourage anyone who wants to ‘go off the grid’ to experience living an adventure independently, especially for a young man.
“He was looking for that adventure and continues on his way.”
Insp Olsen said it served as a reminder for people to inform their initial intensions to family and friends.
