Carolina Wilga, 26, from Germany, survived sub-zero temperatures and mosquitos for almost two weeks in the unforgiving Outback in an astonishing story of bravery and resilience
A backpacker who was missing in the Australian Outback for 12 days is “lucky” to be alive after being found by a passing motorist.
Carolina Wilga, 26, from Germany was last seen on June 29 at a general store in the remote wheat farming town of Beacon – 200 miles northeast of Perth in Western Australia. Astonishingly, the woman somehow managed to survive almost two weeks alone in the harsh environment.
Last Friday, police confirmed that she had been found limping along a road in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve in a severely dehydrated and fragile state. “She’s been located walking on a bushtrack on the edge of the reserve from which she was missing and she’s been recovered by a member of the public – which was fantastic,” said Inspector Martin Glynn of WA Police.
Astonishingly, despite being ravaged by mosquitoes and suffering sub-zero temperatures at night, Carolina has not been put off by her ordeal. Instead, the intrepid traveller wants to continue exploring Australia.
WA Police Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo revealed: “Carol has told me that she loves Australia. She still has so much travel to do here. She hasn’t made it over to the East Coast yet, so that’s still on her bucket list. So I think if she has the ability to stay, she definitely will,” reports news.com.au.
While Inspector Martin Glynn said at the time of her rescue: “She does have some injuries. She’s been ravaged by mosquitoes. She’s obviously been through an amazing journey, a trauma no doubt will be a testimony to demonstrating her bravery in those circumstances out there.”
Tania Henley, who came across an injured Carolina by the roadside, told ABC: “She [was] very scared, very relieved. She was in a fragile state but she was well, thin, but well. She was probably about 40 kilometres from my homestead She said it was very, very cold, and it was below zero.”
The “resilient” backpacker was found with no shoes on and with one foot wrapped up. ” She’s very clever as in to survive that long, I mean, not many people can do that,” said Tania.
Carolina’s bogged-down van, a 1995 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon, was 22 miles from any major tracks. The van, which had solar panels and reserves of drinking water, had recovery boards under its rear wheels used to give vehicles that have become stuck some traction.
Insp. Glynn said she tried to free the van but eventually had to abandon it. He added: “She’d used MAXTRAX and pieces of wood to try to free the vehicle from its location but unfortunately was unsuccessful. Quite frankly it’s really inhospitable ground to move through easily, and as I said, it has rained recently, there are wet spots and vehicles will get bogged often.”
The reserve where Carolina was missing covers more than staggering 300,000 hectares. She had been traveling around Australia for the past two years and working at mine sites in WA.
Following her ordeal, Carolina said: “Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community. Here, humanity, solidarity, and care for one another are what truly matter — and in the end, that’s what counts most.
The backpacker thanked those involved in her rescue and went on to label Tania as her “angel”. “My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me — and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania!” she said.