Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old backpacker from Germany, was rescued after surviving 11 harrowing nights lost in the unforgiving conditions of Western Australia’s outback. Police revealed that Wilga endured the ordeal by drinking from puddles and seeking shelter in a cave. She had been reported missing after walking 24 kilometers (15 miles) from her van, which had become stuck in the remote bushland. Authorities described her as confused and disoriented, convinced she would not be found.
Wilga suffered from exhaustion and dehydration, alongside numerous insect bites and an injured foot. Western Australia police officials stated that her survival was largely due to "sheer luck," as a passing driver spotted her waving for help and took immediate action. The driver, Tania Henley, expressed disbelief at Wilga's resilience given the harsh terrain. “Everything in this bush is very prickly. I just can't believe that she survived,” Henley remarked, noting that Wilga was barefoot and had her foot wrapped.
Before her rescue on Friday, Wilga had last been seen on June 29 at a general store in Beacon, Western Australia, with her abandoned van discovered by police on Thursday. The van appeared to have mechanical issues, leading to its immobilization in dense vegetation. Following her airlift to a hospital in Perth, police reported that Wilga is recovering well and taking things one day at a time after a much-needed night's rest.
Wilga suffered from exhaustion and dehydration, alongside numerous insect bites and an injured foot. Western Australia police officials stated that her survival was largely due to "sheer luck," as a passing driver spotted her waving for help and took immediate action. The driver, Tania Henley, expressed disbelief at Wilga's resilience given the harsh terrain. “Everything in this bush is very prickly. I just can't believe that she survived,” Henley remarked, noting that Wilga was barefoot and had her foot wrapped.
Before her rescue on Friday, Wilga had last been seen on June 29 at a general store in Beacon, Western Australia, with her abandoned van discovered by police on Thursday. The van appeared to have mechanical issues, leading to its immobilization in dense vegetation. Following her airlift to a hospital in Perth, police reported that Wilga is recovering well and taking things one day at a time after a much-needed night's rest.
