Backpacker found safe and well

A British backpacker missing in the Australian Outback for more than three days has been found safe and well, Queensland Police said.

Samuel Woodhead, 18, disappeared from a cattle station in the Australian state of Queensland on Tuesday when he went for a jog.

A police spokesman said Mr Woodhead was a little sunburned when he was found, but was hydrated and otherwise well. His family has been notified.

The former Brighton College student is being returned to the homestead at the central Queensland cattle station where he was staying for a medical assessment, before being transferred to a hospital in the nearby town, Longreach.

His sister Rebecca, posted the news on Facebook, saying: "We have been told that they have found sam!! We have no information on his condition or where he was found yet, so keep your fingers crossed."

Rescuers searched for Mr Woodhead by land and air. His mother is understood to have urged police to widen their search as her son, an experienced long-distance runner, could have travelled some way from his base. Temperatures have been around 37C (98.6 Fahrenheit) in the area this week.

Rebecca told ITV's Daybreak that Samuel was on his way to hospital by helicopter with injuries no worse than "minor sunstroke, dehydration and chapped lips".

Samuel's father Peter Woodhead broke down on the programme as he described the ordeal the family had been through waiting for the news that he was safe, saying: "The word 'nightmare' these says is much misused. This has been a true nightmare."

He went on to thank all the people who helped find Samuel - who numbered up to 200: "We have just had so much support from friends and family. I would like to put on air the thanks we give to everyone who joined in their search effort. He owes his life to them."

Alex Dorr, a pilot with the North Queensland Rescue Helicopter, told the programme he had gone down to the area where Samuel disappeared, searching in the dark with night-vision cameras in a bid to find him quickly. He described the area as "harsh and unforgiving", adding: "Not that long ago we had a guy who was missing for a much shorter time and he passed away from dehydration."