An 11-year-old boy has been rescued by Airwing overnight after becoming lost in dense bushland in the Ottway Ranges last night.
The boy was fishing when he became separated from his five family members about 4.30pm.
Emergency services were called before Air Wing and Search and Rescue officers started searching for the boy in thick bushland.
They were assisted by the SES and civilians on motorbikes.
Air Wing officers located the Colac boy uninjured about 10.30pm in the vicinity of Westwicks Road.
Police Air Wing Inspector Craig Shepherd said last night was a prime example of the Air Wing members operating in complex environments using highly technical equipment.
"The Air Wing located the boy in pitch black conditions amongst trees and mountains using night vision and forward looking infrared equipment," Inspector Shepherd said.
"The crews are highly trained and provide a life-saving role by locating people in bush and alpine environments whether it be day or night.
"It had been approaching seven hours that this young boy had been separated from his family and this situation could have potentially ended very differently.
"It's great to see our highly trained crew members use our valuable resources to achieve such a great result."
Police have released Air Wing footage of the boy being located by officers.
