Rescued boy's dad Etienne Kruger speaks out about his son's ordeal lost in the Deep Creek Conservation Park Simon Kruger, 7, is reunited with his dad Etienne, mum Linda and little brother Zac, 4, after going missing in scrubland overnight on Saturday. ETIENNE Kruger says he has a new found appreciation for his family after his seven-year-old son went missing for almost 24 hours in dense scrubland. "You become so gratefeul for things you've taken for granted," Mr Kruger told theadvertiser.com.au this morning. Simon went missing from a family picnic in the Deep Creek Conservation park about 1.30pm on Saturday and was not found by rescuers until after noon on Sunday. Mr Kruger said despite his ordeal, Simon jumped out of bed at the family's Christies Beach home today as if nothing had happened. "He's definitely doing well ... he just got up this morning as if nothing had happened yesterday," he said. He's had a nice shower last night and a good sleep. It's such a relief to have him back home and be back to normal. Mr Kruger, wife Linda, and two boys Zac, 4, and Simon, were having a picnic lunch at the Trig campsite when Simon disappeared. Overnight, the temperature dropped to a low of 6C at about 3am. After an extensive ground and air search by about 40 police, CFS and SES volunteers, Simon was found about 500m from his family's campsite. Mr Kruger said Simon was looking forward to telling all his friends about his adventure when he returned to Calvary Lutheran Primary School tomorrow. "He's certainly got something to tell at show and tell now," he said. Simon was all smiles when rescuers reunited him with his family at the site yesterday. "Dad I'm OK - I slept under a bush and there were kangaroos," were the first words he said to his father. Mr Kruger said his son at one stage on Saturday night could hear search crews, meaning earlier attempts at finding Simon came very close. "Last night I could hear people calling my name but I was too tired and continued sleeping," the boy had said. Spotted by a rescue helicopter in thick scrub, Simon waved to crews, signalling he was OK, emerging about 20 minutes later with minor scratches. Mr Kruger said he was relieved Simon was found before the weather turned yesterday afternoon. "We're very relieved," he said. He's a strong boy and I think he has a lot to talk about at this moment. He's a bit shy and overwhelmed at the moment ... he said the chopper ride up on the winch was quite cool. Mr Kruger described his son as ­"resourceful."