Northern Territory Police have located a missing 13-year-old boy after an extensive overnight search near Ellery Creek Big Hole.

At 9.30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) was notified of a male student who had failed to return after participating in an activity as part of a school camp. He had last been seen at 6.00pm during an orientation exercise, during which he became separated from his group.

Members from the Dog Operations Unit, Drone Unit, Tactical Response Group, and general duties officers were deployed and, alongside teachers and additional school staff, began an extensive search of the area on foot.

Northern Territory Emergency Services (NTES), St John Ambulance, and the Search and Rescue Section (SRS) were notified of the situation and were on standby.

SRS took over coordination of the search at 5.30am, with search efforts inclusive of aerial search via Jet Ranger helicopter, police air observers, ground motor bike search, and far-reaching land based search areas with assistance of NTES volunteers being planned for the day.

At 7.30am the boy was found inside a car that had been left with its lights on by teachers. He had located the vehicle during the night and remained inside until search efforts returned. Outside temperatures dropped to 5°c overnight.

The boy’s parents were kept informed during the search operation and were reunited with him by a police officer. The boy is uninjured and is reported to be in good spirits.

SAR Mission Coordinator Acting Sergeant Chris Grotherr said, “This was a great outcome which was largely achieved through the efforts and initiative of teachers on the ground who worked tirelessly throughout the night to assist police with search efforts.

“We commend the boy for locating and staying with the car. It was the right decision to make in regards to his personal safety and to assist us in ensuring he returned home.”