Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old backpacker from Germany, has emerged as a symbol of survival after being lost for almost 11 nights in Western Australia’s outback. Rescued recently, she is reported to have survived by drinking rainwater and puddles while sleeping in a cave, according to Western Australia police.
Wilga, who appeared disoriented and confused, had wandered approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) away from her van, which had become immobilized in a remote bushland area. Officers revealed that she was experiencing exhaustion, dehydration, and extensive insect bites, alongside an injured foot. Her family expressed immense relief at her survival, as law enforcement shared that she had started to lose hope of being found.
The police statement indicated that she survived on the little food she had on her, along with water sourced from the rain and natural puddles. Acting police inspector Jessica Securo commented on the extraordinary nature of her survival, attributing it in part to "sheer luck."
Wilga's ordeal came to an end when she was spotted by Tania Henley, a passerby who reported seeing her waving for help while on the roadside. Henley described Wilga as being in a very vulnerable state, lacking shoes and having sustained injuries to her foot.
Before her rescue, Wilga was last seen in her van at a general store in the town of Beacon, Western Australia, on June 29. Authorities later located her abandoned vehicle in dense bushland north of the town. Inspector Securo reported that the vehicle seemed to have broken down, leaving Wilga stranded.
Following her rescue, Wilga was airlifted to a hospital in Perth, where she was able to get some much-needed rest. Officials remarked that she was now focusing on her recovery, taking things "one day at a time."
