The emotional reunion of a desperate mother and her missing three-year-old son has been captured in a heartwarming video after the child was found safe and well following a harrowing three day search.
Footage shows young Anthony 'AJ' Elfalak being carried by an SES worker into the arms of his relieved and distressed mother Kelly, who cries out 'they've found my baby. AJ, it's mummy'.
The brave and famished child - who has autism and is non-verbal - was then bundled up in a warm foil blanket while clinging to his mother before ambulance workers gave him a feast of pizza and bananas.
PolAir guided SES volunteers (pictured) on the ground to AJ's location before they carried him to an ambulance
AJ's mum is seen embracing a paramedic while waiting to be reunited with her little boy
AJ was comforted by a SES volunteer (pictured) after he was found drinking water from a creek
Kelly was seen cradling AJ in the ambulance (pictured) while wrapped in insulation blankets
Despite spending more than 72 hours exposed to the elements in rugged bushland on the family's 256ha rural property in Putty, about 150km north-west of Sydney in the Upper Hunter, paramedics said he was in 'remarkable shape'.
The incredible moment she feared would never come overwhelmed Ms Elfalak, who burst out crying as SES workers came towards carrying little AJ.
'They've found my baby,' she says while embracing a ambulance worker.
Her voice becomes more and more strained with emotion as she finally holds young AJ in her arms and comforts him in the back of the ambulance.
The entire family had been in a panic-stricken state since little AJ wandered off on Friday.
She said he was out of her sight for just a matter of seconds.
'Our family is together again. For that we are grateful to everyone who has assisted in any way over the last three days,' the overjoyed family said in a statement immediately after the terrifying ordeal.
'Thank you to the NSW Police, Rescue Services, volunteers, community members, friends and family who have worked tirelessly to find AJ.
'AJ is fine. Hold your kids close.'
Family and friends rush towards the waiting ambulance, where AJ was being assessed after he was found in a nearby creek drinking water
Family and friends at the property embrace following confirmation AJ was found alive
Anthony Elfalak (pictured with his three other sons after AJ was found) didn't get any sleep in the three days since son AJ went missing
A radio call signalling that the boy had been spotted by Pol Air helicopter about 500 meters from their home in a small creek sparked jubilant scenes at the family property, with AJ's friends and loved ones seen cheering and screaming in delight moments after being told he had been found.
NSW Police have since released the incredible footage of the moment AJ was first located.
'I've got the the boy!' a PolAir officer can be saying as he provided coordinates to guide SES searchers on the ground to AJ's exact location.
'I'm going to get on the PA and guide the SES crew in.'
SES volunteers
