A 26-year-old German backpacker, Carolina Wilga, has been rescued after spending 11 harrowing nights lost in the remote outback of Western Australia. Her ordeal stemmed from her vehicle becoming stuck in dense bushland, leading her to walk 24km (15 miles) away from her abandoned van. During her time in the wild, she survived by drinking rainwater and puddle water while relying on a minimal supply of food she had with her.
Police detailed that Wilga was discovered in a "confused and disorientated" state after losing all hope of being found, with her family expressing profound relief upon hearing of her rescue. Authorities reported that she suffered from significant exhaustion, dehydration, numerous insect bites, and an injured foot.
The miraculous rescue was facilitated by a passerby, Tania Henley, who spotted Wilga waving for help beside the road. Henley recounted that Wilga appeared fragile and was barefoot, with her foot wrapped, highlighting the harshness of the environment, filled with prickly foliage. Before her rescue, Wilga was last seen at a general store in the nearby town of Beacon on June 29.
Western Australia Police revealed they found her van abandoned on Thursday after it became bogged and mechanically unsound. Acting police inspector Jessica Securo attributed Wilga's eventual discovery to sheer luck. After her airlift to a hospital in Perth, she reportedly had a "good night's sleep" and is taking her recovery one day at a time.
