Share this @internewscast.com
According to police, a German backpacker endured the harsh outback conditions with minimal sustenance for 11 days before stumbling upon a road and catching the attention of a passing motorist purely by “sheer luck”.
The 26-year-old, Carolina Wilga, is currently in a hospital recuperating from dehydration, fatigue, and minor injuries sustained during her almost two-week-long distressing experience in the Western Australian wheatbelt.
Wilga was discovered on Friday afternoon by a passing female driver, having last been seen on 29 June at a store in the town of Beacon, approximately 300km northeast of Perth.
Her disappearance sparked a massive search following an urgent appeal from her mother due to safety concerns.

Police disclosed that Wilga stayed only one night with her van after it got stuck in the thick bushes of the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, 35km off the main trail.
Choosing to walk west by following the sun, she believed it would lead her to a road.
“She was essentially out in the wilderness for about 11 nights, which is significant,” said detective acting inspector Jessica Securo to reporters on Saturday.
“(That) helps us understand how fortunate she was to be found safe and well, and we are extremely grateful for her discovery.”

“She is still in disbelief that she was able to survive. In her mind, she had convinced herself she was not going to be located.”

Wilga walked a total of 24km with “minimal food and water” before the chance encounter with Tania, who was driving past.
“She was on the side of the road waving her hands. She was in a fragile state, but she was well. Thin but well,” Tania told the ABC.

“She’d been bitten by a lot of midgies. She said it was very, very cold.”

‘It can be quite dangerous’

Temperatures dropped to zero at night in the region, while there was also heavy rain over several days.
Securo, who has spoken with Wilga, said the tourist had become very confused and disorientated and it was “sheer luck” she found the road.

“The area out there … it can be quite dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing or where you are going,” Securo said.

An aerial view of a van sitting amid dry bushland scrub.

Wilga spent just one night with her van after it got bogged in dense bushland. Credit: AAP Image / Supplied by Western Australia Police.

Wilga has had a “good night’s sleep”, food and a shower since being found and had been left overwhelmed by the media attention.

She could continue her stay in Australia and still has the east coast on her bucket list, Securo said.
“It’s still early days and obviously she’s focusing on her recovery (but) I know she wants to work in Australia,” she said.

“She still has so much travel to do here. I think if she has the ability to stay, she definitely will.”

A woman smiling in a photo.

Carolina Wilga “is still in disbelief that she was able to survive”, Western Australian Police detective acting inspector Jessica Securo stated. Source: AAP / WA Police

Police are still trying to figure out how the van got into trouble, but said it appeared Wilga lost control trying to find a track.

Securo said in survival situations, people were always better off staying with their car.
“It’s far easier for an aerial search to locate a vehicle than it is a person,” she said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump to pardon Honduran president's drug trafficking sentence

Breaking News: Trump Set to Pardon Honduran President in Major Drug Trafficking Case

President Donald Trump said he will be pardoning former Honduran President Juan…
Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter embraces Winonah Heatley during their match against New Zealand

Matildas’ Emotional Tribute: Star Player’s Hidden Heartbreak Revealed in Thrilling New Zealand Match

Winonah Heatley, a standout player for the Matildas, joined her team amidst…

UN Urges Global Solidarity Following Trump’s Pledge to Halt Migration from Developing Nations

UN agencies have asked the US to continue to allow asylum seekers…
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon after getting married today in Canberra.

Inside the Secret Wedding of Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon at The Lodge: Exclusive Details Revealed

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has married long-time partner Jodie Haydon in an…

Tragic Floods in Southeast Asia Claim Over 250 Lives

Days of devastating flooding across Southeast Asia have killed more than 250…

Ukrainian Political Shake-Up: Zelenskyy’s Top Aide Resigns Following Anti-Corruption Raid

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s powerful chief of staff Andriy Yermak, a close ally…
Neuroblastoma is a deadly cancer that can affect children as young as two-years-old. A new study by the Garvan Institute may have found a drug that can help cure it.

Potential Breakthrough Drug Surfaces for Treating Deadly Childhood Cancer

A medication, already approved for cancer treatment, might now offer a new…
Victoria Police during the search for alleged shooter Dezi Freeman at Mount Buffalo National Park.

Ex-Detective Dismisses Recent Alleged Sighting in Search for Suspected Officer Killer

Nearly three months after the tragic killing of two officers in Victoria’s…
Hero Uber driver stops job to race into burning house

Brave Uber Driver Halts Ride to Courageously Rescue Residents from Burning Home

An Uber driver unexpectedly halted a passenger’s trip to dash into a…
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under pressure from the US to take an unfavourable peace deal with Russia.

Top Aide to Zelenskyy Steps Down Following Anti-Corruption Probe at Residence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday the resignation of his powerful chief…
Jetstar

Airbus Recall Grounds Jetstar Flights, Leading to Long Passenger Queues

Jetstar flights across the country are facing disruptions, with delays and cancellations…

Olympia’s Maggot Farms in Australia Tackle $36 Billion Global Challenge

With food waste driving a measurable share of Australia’s emissions, efforts to…