Missing British backpacker survived Australian outback ordeal by drinking contact lens solution

A British backpacker missing in the Australian outback for three days survived his ordeal by drinking contact lens solution, the Guardian reported.

Sam Woodhead, 18, was “a little sunburned” and “slightly dehydrated” when he was found Friday afternoon, the BBC reported.

Woodhead’s father had placed packets of contact lenses in his teenage son’s rucksack, which apparently kept him alive, the Guardian said.

He was reported missing after he failed to return to a cattle station in central Queensland on Tuesday afternoon.

An extensive air and land search was mounted for the teenager, who was working as a farm hand on the cattle station near Longreach.

The Agence France Presse said authorities had held grave fears for Woodhead’s survival given the region’s heat, lack of water and deadly snakes.

Woodhead’s sister, Emma Lupton, announced on Facebook her brother had been found, The Australian reported.

"Sam has been found!!! He is OK. Woo hoo."