Relief as missing Qld teenager found safe

A relieved Queensland family has thanked police, emergency workers and their local community after a missing teenage boy was found in bushland.

Eric, 16, had not been seen since Monday afternoon despite a three-day search of bushland around Highvale.

He was found by SES workers less than 10 minutes from his home on Thursday morning.

Paramedics say he's in good health and communicating, and is in hospital for observation.

"His family are happy and overjoyed," Senior Sergeant Seia Akhavan said.

"When you consider we've had some cold nights, a few days of rain, exposure certainly does take a toll."

In a statement, Eric's family praised the swift, concise and strategic methods of the Queensland Police.

"(They) are what saved our son," it said.

It came after the family issued a heartfelt plea for his safety on Wednesday.

"Contact us, please. Me, your mum, your baby brother and your baby sister, we're missing you," his father, Darryl, said.

"We love you, Eric, and we just hope you come back safe."

Darryl said the family had lived in the mountainous area for four years, and often went camping and bushwalking.