Survival Story of a Backpacker in the Australian Outback
A backpacker who was rescued after surviving 12 days in the Australian outback has shared her story about why she left her vehicle. Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old German national, was found along a remote bush track in Western Australia by a driver on Friday. She had last been seen on June 29th and was airlifted to the hospital after the incident.
In a statement shared on social media, Ms. Wilga explained how she ended up abandoning her van. “Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there,” she said. “The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly. As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost.”
According to the police, Ms. Wilga spent 11 nights exposed to the elements, surviving by consuming minimal food supplies and drinking water from rain and puddles. She expressed her gratitude for having survived, saying, “I am beyond grateful to have survived.” She also thanked everyone involved in the search for her, including the police, searchers, the German Consulate, medical staff, and nurses.
Ms. Wilga specifically thanked Tania Henley, the driver who found her around 24 kilometers from where she left her vehicle. Ms. Henley told Australia’s public broadcaster ABC that she saw Ms. Wilga waving her hands by the side of the road and described her as being in a fragile state. “Everything in this bush is very prickly. I just can’t believe that she survived. She had no shoes on, she’d wrapped her foot up,” Ms. Henley said.
Her last known location was at a general store in the town of Beacon, 200 miles from Perth. Her abandoned car, which had become bogged and was mechanically unsound, was found by police on Thursday in dense bushland north of Beacon.
Acting police inspector Jessica Securo mentioned that Ms. Wilga’s rescue was due to “sheer luck.” She noted that the backpacker had a “good night’s sleep” in the hospital and was “just taking it one day at a time.”
Jed Currey, owner of Perth-based Explore WA 4WD Adventures, commented that the incident should serve as a lesson for both Australian authorities and tourists. He emphasized the need for more proactive measures when dealing with travelers in the country. “Europeans are very adventurous but they probably don’t understand our bespoke conditions here – population differences, the isolation factor, and the harshness of the country,” Mr. Currey said.
He suggested that tourists should be given three simple tips upon arrival: let someone know where they’re going to be, don’t leave your vehicle if you get into trouble, and have a means of contacting people.
Ms. Wilga’s experience highlights the importance of preparation and awareness when traveling in remote areas. Her survival is a testament to her resilience and the support she received during her ordeal.
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