Photo of Carolina Wilga at a petrol station.
Share this @internewscast.com

A GERMAN backpacker missing for nearly two weeks in the remote Australian outback has been found alive.

Carolina Wilga, 26, was discovered walking along a bush track on the edge of Karroun Hill nature reserve on Friday afternoon.

Photo of Carolina Wilga at a petrol station.
The 26-year-old German backpacker was last seen at a general store on June 29Credit: AFP
A dark-colored SUV stuck in the brush, with a WA Police logo in the upper left corner.
Her Mitsubishi Delica van was later found abandoned on ThursdayCredit: Facebook/@ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK
Police officers and other personnel at a search scene.
WA Police have since launched a desperate search to find the 26-year-old GermanCredit: Western Australia Police Force

She was found less than 24 hours after cops found her bogged van abandoned in inhospitable terrain.

She was picked up by a member of the public and taken to Beacon before being airlifted to Perth for urgent medical treatment.

Martin Glynn from the Western Australia police stated to reporters on Friday: “As you can imagine, considering the ordeal she faced over the past few days, she has obviously endured a significant amount of distress.

“She does have some injuries. She’s been ravaged by mosquitoes.

“Undoubtedly, she has gone through an incredible ordeal, and this trauma will definitely showcase her courage under such challenging conditions out there.”

Authorities believe Carolina made multiple desperate attempts to free her vehicle before setting out on foot to escape the harsh, rocky wilderness.

Police described her survival as “remarkable” given temperatures in the area had plummeted to 0C overnight.

Aussie cops were desperately searching for the missing backpacker after her van was found abandoned following a haunting final message to a friend.

Carolina had not been seen or heard from since June 29, when she was spotted at a general store in Beacon, 186 miles north-east of Perth.

The 26-year-old German was then seen driving away in her black and silver Mitsubishi Delica van.

Authorities suspected that Carolina had lost her way and wandered into the bushland after experiencing a vehicle breakdown in the Karroun Hill region of Western Australia’s outback.

The region is said to be an unforgiving expanse, described by authorities as remote, rocky and inhospitable.

Acting Inspector Jessica Securo confirmed the van was found Thursday at least 21 miles from any main track.

She told ABC News earlier on Friday: “The terrain is outback country and there are large, rocky outcrops.

“So although there’s a number of tracks, you can see how it would be easy to become lost or disorientated in that area if you didn’t know it well.”

Broken down van

Authorities say Carolina’s van appeared to have suffered mechanical issues and was bogged, The Guardian reports.

WA police’s Martin Glynn said: “The police air wing officers were able to identify that the vehicle was bogged and was subject to extensive efforts by her to recover the vehicle.

“She’d used Maxtrax and pieces of wood to try to free the vehicle from its location, but unfortunately was unsuccessful.”

Boy, 17, dies on beach after being buried alive in hole in sand he dug

Cops say they do not believe foul play was involved, and have focused search efforts around the van’s location.

They launched what they call a “reflex search” within 300 metres of the vehicle and aerial sweeps of the wider area due to the difficult terrain.

“The search has resumed in that Karroun Hill area,” Securo said.

“It will be concentrating around her vehicle and tracks that offshoot that area.

“Our aerial support is our best chances of finding her.”

Forensic teams are now combing through the Mitsubishi vehicle to determine what the backpacker may have taken with her – and what might have let her to abandon it.

Securo told Sky News Australia: ”Part of my team at Major Crime division will go through the vehicle and meticulously cover what was in the vehicle, what we believe is outstanding. And that may help to direct our search in a certain area.”

Final messages to friend

Carolina had been backpacking across Australia for two years and recently worked at mine sites in regional WA.

Her last known communication were text and voice messages sent to a friend in the early hours of June 29.

At 7am, Carolina texted her friend, who had been in communication with her the day she was spotted departing the Sundance Backpackers hostel in Freemantle.

In the text, the German reportedly said she wouldn’t be able to drop off a book and a jerry can because she had “some stuff she needed to handle.” 

Photo of Carolina Wilga, a missing German backpacker.
Carolina had been backpacking across Australia for two yearsCredit: AFP
Surveillance images of Carolina Wilga.
Carolina was spotted wearing a long beige jumper and light blue jeansCredit: Western Australia Police Force
Photo of a dark-colored van with a roof rack, license plate 1HDS 330, and a woman inside.
Carolina pictured in the van outside a general store in the small agricultural community of BeaconCredit: AFP
Black and silver 1995 Mitsubishi Station sedan, WA registration ‘1HDS 330’.
She was also pictured later driving the same vanCredit: Western Australia Police Force

She was then spotted at a local store in the tiny town of Beacon on June 29 at around 12.10pm.

Later that day, at 4.28pm, CCTV captured her at a Toodyay petrol station, Sky News Australia reports.

Ten minutes later, at 4.38pm, she reportedly sent a chilling voice message to her friend, in which she could be heard saying: ”I just couldn’t wait anymore. Ugh. I felt tired”.

Police believe Carolina continued driving east to Wialki, but after June 30, all contact with friends and family ceased.

Her disappearance has triggered a full-scale operation involving police, State Emergency Services and Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

The van — equipped with solar panels and water — was found Thursday, but there has been no sign of the missing woman.

A Facebook page titled ‘Help Find Carolina Wilga’ has been launched to assist the search, and WA Police have issued an urgent nationwide appeal for information.

“Someone out there must have some vital information which can assist WA Police in bringing Carolina back to her family and friends,” said Detective Katherine.

Premier Roger Cook also weighed in, describing the discovery of the van as a “pleasing” development but said the priority remains bringing Carolina home.

“Our heart goes out to everyone involved, we just want Caroline home,” he said.

Police officers in Beacon, Western Australia, preparing to search for a missing German backpacker.
Police officers gather in Beacon, Western Australia on Friday as they prepare to search for the missing German backpackerCredit: AP
Police officers preparing a helicopter for a search.
Police wait by a helicopter in Beacon, Western Australia, on FridayCredit: AP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
'9-1-1' star Aisha Hinds says she got "calls and texts" from family and friends about the agonizing death of Bobby last season. 

‘9-1-1’ Star Aisha Hinds Shares She Received “Calls and Texts” from Family and Friends Regarding Bobby’s Heart-wrenching Death Last Season.

“9-1-1” fans are still unsettled over Captain Bobby Nash’s death from April,…
Screengrab of Constance Marten being interviewed by police.

Constance Marten Breaks Down in Tears Over Newborn’s Death While Fleeing with Partner

THIS is the moment “selfish” runaway aristocrat Constance Marten sobbed as she…
Michael Strahan, Kendra Scott join 'Shark Tank' season 17 as guest Sharks on ABC and Hulu 

Michael Strahan and Kendra Scott to Appear as Guest Sharks on ‘Shark Tank’ Season 17 on ABC and Hulu

Celebrity entrepreneurs join returning Sharks for another season of million-dollar deals and…
Blue city officers flocking to cop-friendly red states, police leader says: ‘Why would anyone stay?’

Police Officers Moving to Red States in Droves: ‘What’s the Point of Staying?’ Says Union Leader

In cities predominantly overseen by Democratic leaders, law enforcement officers are relocating…
Wildfire along Grand Canyon's North Rim destroys historic lodge and is spreading rapidly

Historic Lodge Destroyed as Wildfire Rapidly Spreads Along Grand Canyon’s North Rim

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A wildfire that destroyed a historic lodge and…
Retired Army officer pleads guilty to sharing classified info on Russia-Ukraine war on dating site

Former Army Officer Admits to Sharing Classified Russia-Ukraine War Information on Dating Platform

A retired Army officer who was employed as a civilian with the…
Ongoing trash strike draws pressure from officials as communities struggle with waste build-up

Continuous Waste Strike Puts Pressure on Officials as Communities Battle Trash Accumulation

As the worker strike across multiple states nears its second week, state…
KFC offering free bucket of chicken as part of its 'comeback' era

KFC Celebrates ‘Comeback’ Era with Free Bucket of Chicken Offer

After ranking toward the bottom of a recent fried chicken fast food…
Explore Spain's prestigious Priorat wine region from this high-design hotel

Experience Spain’s Prestigious Priorat Wine Region from a Stylish Hotel Retreat

Like a robust bottle of red from Spain’s Tarragona province, Gran Hotel…
The Left's Continual Calls for Assassinations Are Growing Alarming

Trump Shares How He Believes Divine Intervention Saved Him on the Anniversary of Butler Assassination Attempt

During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump marked the one-year…
Francisco Alvarez doing what Mets asked with 'phenomenal' minors stint

Francisco Alvarez Excels in Minor Leagues as Mets Requested

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Francisco Alvarez is excelling in his minor league…
Elmo peeking through a hole in a blue background.

Elmo’s X Account Compromised, Unleashes Wave of Offensive Posts

ELMO’S X account was hacked as a string of antisemitic posts were…