ALONE IN THE OUTBACK

A three-year-old autistic boy is safely back with his family after surviving on his own for three days in the harsh Australian bush

COMPILED BY DENNIS CAVERNELIS

EVEN for the most seasoned explorer, the Australian Outback can be a harsh, unforgiving place – punishing heat in the daytime, plummeting temperatures at night, treacherous terrain and animals roaming free. So it’s nothing short of miraculous that a nonverbal three-year-old autistic boy managed to survive alone in the wilderness for three days, wearing nothing but a T-shirt and a nappy. Toddler Anthony “AJ” Elfalak’s story has captivated the world, and experts believe his age as well as his autism may have helped save his life. The little boy disappeared about 12.30 on the afternoon of Friday 3 September. His frantic parents, Kelly and Anthony, thought he’d been abducted from their home in Putty Valley, a tiny village about 112 km from Sydney. The village, home to fewer than 200 residents, is in the largest…

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You South Africa (Digital) - 1 Issue, 23 Sep 2021

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