British man survives three days lost in Australian outback by digging holes

Anthony Collis went missing after becoming separated from his travelling companion

Mr Collis was found suffering 'dehydration and exposure' but was 'otherwise fine' (Western Australia Police)

A man has been found alive and well after wondering around lost in the Australian outback for three days.

Anthony Collis, 32, became separated from the woman he was travelling with and managed to survive the hot days and cold nights by burying himself in the dirt.

The alarm was raised on Friday and he was found early Sunday morning, suffering dehydration and exposure but was "otherwise fine", according to police.

He had no other injuries and was expected to fully recover.

Mr Collis, 32, and his travelling companion Debbie Blomfield, 39, were driving from Newman in Western Australia along the Canning Stock Route to Darwin in the Northern Territory.

After stopping for supplies, their car got stuck in boggy terrain.

Ms Blomfield walked into Georgia Bore Camp, about 8km north of Lake Disappointment. Somehow the pair became separated.

The woman was “disorientated and dehydrated” but she managed to help police search for Mr Collis.

The pair’s vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Triton, was discovered on Friday by the lake, but Mr Collis was not there. The car reportedly contained few supplies.

Emergency workers, including air and ground crews, volunteers and local police searched the area.

The 32-year-old was found in bushland, about 1km north of Lake Disappointment and 3km from his vehicle, as he waved to a helicopter above him and shouted for help.

He was airlifted to Newman Hospital for treatment where he stayed overnight. Ms Blomfield was discharged.

Mr Collis, from Wiltshire in England, resides in Perth, according to PerthNow.

Acting Inspector Garry Kosovich told the publication that the couple did not seem well-prepared for the trip in their four-wheel drive in rugged terrain.

“Mr Collis was calling out and police heard the call,” he said.

“He was fairly weak at that point, but thankfully he was heard and we responded and located him.”

He added that Mr Collis would have been discovered on Friday if he had remained with his vehicle.