Witnesses tell of moment Norman Krakouer was found on Claremont road, 15 hours after disappearing from home

Witnesses have told of the remarkable moment a young autistic boy was found wandering on a western suburbs road, after vanishing from his home and spending more than 15 hours in torrential stormy weather.

Eleven-year-old Norman Krakouer disappeared from his Lantana Avenue home, in Mount Claremont, about 5.15pm on Saturday, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.

He was found wandering on Davies Road — almost 1km from his home — by a pair of locals, who followed him down a residential driveway, about 9am the following morning.

Davies Road resident Annabel Hall said the couple brought Norman to her door, to which she ushered him inside, and gave him a blanket until police arrived.

“There was a bit of commotion in our driveway, and then we came out to see two people had found Norman just outside our house,” she said.

“We brought him inside, gave him a blanket and tried to warm him up before the police came.

“As far as I know, (the couple) were actively searching for him, saw him along Davies Road and followed him down the driveway, and convinced him to come inside (my house), and then they supported him until the police came, which was very quick.”

Ms Hall said Norman, who is non-verbal, appeared to be in good spirits.

“He was relatively happy, just cold, really ... he was smiling, he’s non-verbal so he just needed a bit of comfort,” she said.

“I’m just relieved that he was safe and happy ... particularly with the weather last night.

“He’s very young and didn’t have much on to keep him warm.”

Norman was seen being escorted out of the Davies Road property about 9.30am on Sunday wearing a fluffy blue blanket.

He was reunited with his family at a nearby incident command centre, where he was given a police jacket and can of Coca-Cola.

WA Inspector Mark Tobiassen said Norman was in good health and good condition, but was being taken to hospital for a general check-up.

“The family are so excited and have asked me to express their thanks ... to everybody who had anything to do with the search for Norman,” he said.

“(Norman) was very excited and happy to be back with his family ... it’s a great result.”

Many locals had braved wet and windy weather on Saturday night to join police in the frantic search for the missing 11-year-old.

The large-scale search continued on Sunday morning, with SES volunteers joining police on foot and horseback, as well as the continued effort from members of the public.

Davies Road is adjacent to John and Jean Mulder Park — a small park with a playground and skateboard ramp, which backs onto Lake Claremont.

Police said Norman was known to frequent playgrounds and climb trees.