“To have such support coming from all across Victoria and even further around Australia, we were just overwhelmed by it,” Rachel Shambrook said in a press conference today.
“It was just something that we were immensely grateful for at the low times and obviously very much when Luke was found.”
“Our immense thanks to anyone who had any involvement whatsoever.”
Rachel did concede that it was tough keeping things together through their desperate worry.
“As time went on, we found it really difficult to keep our own hopes up. Particularly as for the first three or four days, there was just nothing to run with,” Rachel said.
“But people’s prayers were answered and for that…we’re incredibly grateful that people put their time in. Especially over the Easter weekend, that people put up their own time on order to help with the search for Luke.”
The parents of Luke said that he is a very resilient boy who has a connection to Lake Eildon – the area in which he was lost.
“How he survived? I guess really it’s between people’s prayers, praying for his survival and that resilience … sometimes we don’t give our kids enough credit for their resilience, but he sure showed us,” Rachel said.
Luke and his parents at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne where he is currently recuperating and reportedly doing well.
Luke Shambrook poses with his rescuers – members of the Victoria Police’s Search & Rescue team, after being reunited with them in hospital.
Director of emergency medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Professor George Braitberg, previously explained that Luke was lucky to escape more serious medical issues.
“The exposure out in the elements is a really significant event,” he said.
“And it’s great he has survived it. I think resilience and lucky are probably two good words to use.
“Without food or water for five days you would expect him to be very weak and unable to walk or stand.”
Luke’s survival is considered to be ‘particularly extraordinary’ because his autism may have made it difficult to identify dangers and hazards in the wilderness, especially if moving around at night.
Acting Sergeant Brad Pascoe has also described his elation spotted Luke from the helicopter.
“It wasn’t much but it was enough to make me get the guys to turn the aircraft around,” he said.
“We were just absolutely over the moon. All of us in the crew are parents ourselves and we can only imagine what Luke’s parents were going through.”
The whole nation was so thrilled to hear of his rescue that the mayor of the family’s hometown of Casey, has made plans to throw Luke a reception upon his return home – if the family deem it appropriate.
“I just think as Casey residents it’s not every day you have a beautiful 11-year-old who goes missing and the family are such constructive community members and to go through such a horrific experience … this is just us welcoming them home.” Councillor Amanda Stapledon said.
Rachel and Tim Shambrook could not look happier to be reunited with their adorable little boy!
