Simon Kruger wandered into the Australian wilderness Saturday after spotting a wallaby and following it into the bush. The seven-year-old survived nearly 24 hours in the dense forest with the help of the friendly marsupial.
The kangaroo slept next to the boy throughout the night, keeping him warm as the temperatures fell to near freezing. Eventually, a rescue helicopter sighted the missing child and plucked him out of the forest.
“I think God sent a kangaroo to keep him warm,” said his father.
His elated mother says her son’s jacket still smells like kangaroo and bushes.