http://lazyocorner.blogspot.com/2009/07 ... 9ee6f6d724
"The police had taken a "comprehensive statement" from Mr Neale and had no doubts about his story, Superintendent McWhirter said, despite widespread speculation the lost-and-found yarn was a hoax.
"There is nothing, nothing at all to suggest this is anything other than the greatest tale of survival we've seen in the mountains," he said
Mr Neale and his father are believed to have signed publicity deals worth up to $200,000 with the Nine Network's 60 Minutes and Woman's Day magazine"
but........
UK backpacker’s claim of being lost for 12 days in Oz bush deemed publicity stunt
http://blog.taragana.com/n/uk-backpacke ... nt-112592/
"LONDON - As Brit backpacker Jamie Neale’s claims of being lost for 12 days(winter) in the Aussie bush are going around, survival experts have come out with doubts regarding the teen’s story"
Jamie Neale hits payday
No much additional updates...he got $200,000 but is in an argument with his family about the money now...probably best summarized by this postHikin_Jim wrote:It'll be interesting to know what happened if and when the truth comes out. The fact that he didn't lose weight is pretty interesting.
http://www.rightjab.observationdeck.org/?p=2390
"I just want to say something about the British backpacker Jamie Neale thing.
I’m not going to comment on whether this is a scam because I really wouldn’t have a clue.
I’m not going to comment on Jamie Neales fathers ridiculous hat.
I’m not going to comment on his 10 miles in 12 days journey [I know the area is rugged but that would be an average of about one km a day?]
I’m not going to comment on the medias absurd coverage of this event.
I’m not going to comment on dumb people doing dumb things and being rewarded for it with money and fame.
I’m not going to comment on one reporter I heard stating that Jamie came from a good family although I wonder how she could possibly have known that"