Police have confirmed that Alex Batty will return home to the UK after he was found wandering the mountains in the South of France after being missing for six years.
The British boy has reportedly been doing 'well' and 'providing information to officials' since he was found in Revel, near Toulouse, by lorry driver Fabien Accidini on 14 December.
Alex, originally from Oldham in Greater Manchester, went on a trip to Marbella, Spain with his mum Melanie Batty, 37, and granddad David, 58, when he was 11-years-old - but he never came back.
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He flew to Malaga Airport for what was expected to be a week-long stay in the Benahavis area near Marbella, but his relatives did not return on 8 October, 2017, as planned.
Neither family member was his legal guardian.
Incredibly, six years after he vanished, Alex has been found alive in France after chiropractic care student Fabien spotted him while he was was doing night deliveries for local pharmacies in the area.
The 26-year-old told ITV that he 'picked him up on the side of the road' after spotting the lad roaming around, saying he was 'confused' and 'tired'.
Fabien explained: "We talked, we finished the pharmacy’s tour together because I was working. He told me that he was walking for four days since he left the mountains, he didn’t know really know where from nor where to."
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The missing boy, now 17, reportedly told him that he spent three years in Spain and then two years in France.
Fabien recalled how Alex told him he had been 'in a community, let's say something to do with spirituality, that he didn’t feel comfortable with'.
He said they both called the police and alerted the authorities after the Brit had shared his story.
His grandmother and legal guardian, Susan Caruana, said she is thrilled that her grandson has been discovered.
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Speaking to The Sun, she said: “I am so happy. I have spoken to him and he is well. He is currently with the authorities in France. It is such a shock.
“I don't know where his mum is. It is great news. I am just waiting for him to come home - I am thrilled.”
His mother and grandad have not yet been located, although police are keen to talk to them.
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Alex is now set to touch down on home soil 'over the next couple of days', Greater Manchester Police said.
He had a video call with his Susan last night, who was 'content' and satisfied that it was her grandson.
Cops will still have to make further checks when he lands in the UK.
A police source told the Mirror: "She [Susan] is his legal guardian, and the case is now in the hands of Manchester police. The young man is staying at a youth hostel in Toulouse, but should be back in Britain soon."
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Welcome home, Alex!
Featured Image Credit: GMP/PATopics: UK News, News, World News