British backpacker Jamie Neale has been found alive and well after going missing in Australia’s Blue Mountains 12 days ago.

Jamie Neale’s father travelled from Britain to help in the search for his son

Mr Neale, 19, had last been seen leaving a youth hostel in Katoomba on Friday July 3 to go for an early trek in the rugged region.

The teenager was finally located by other hikers in the bush, who alerted police.

Officers said he was able to speak to them as they took him to hospital and in the first video images released he appeared to be in good health.

In a statement, New South Wales Police said: “About 11.30am today, two bushwalkers alerted emergency services to advise they had come across a man who identified himself as Jamie Neale near the Narrow Neck fire trail, near Katoomba.

“Police Rescue officers, using a Rural Fire Service vehicle, made their way to the location and confirmed the identity of the man.

“He’s been taken to Katoomba Hospital for treatment of dehydration and exposure.”

The alarm over Mr Neale’s disappearance was raised after he failed to turn up for a pre-arranged tour of some nearby caves on Saturday July 4.

Following an extensive land and air-based search, rescue teams began to lose hope of finding the young Londoner alive.

However, Mr Neale’s father Richard Cass remained confident after he flew out to Sydney to assist in the hunt for his son.

Mr Cass said: “He’s very tolerant of cold and if anybody can survive this, he will.”

He added: “As you can see, I can survive in this weather pretty good as well, and Jamie’s like that.

“He’ll be okay. He’s a brilliant boy, you know, we’re not going to lose him.”

Mr Cass was due to fly out of Sydney today, but he is now being flown to be reunited with his son.

Mr Neale, from Muswell Hill, north London, had only been in Australia a month when he disappeared. It was his first trip overseas.

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