German backpacker Carolina Wilga has made her first public statement following a harrowing ordeal where she was lost in the WA outback for 11 days.
In case you missed it, Wilga, aged 26, was miraculously discovered alive last Friday after enduring a distressing 11 days in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve. This followed a massive police operation that was initiated when she was first reported missing on June 29.
Despite an extensive police operation, she was found purely by chance by a member of the public, Tania Henley, approximately 24km from her vehicle.
Now, in her first remarks since her rescue, Wilga explained that her ordeal began after a car crash left her wandering into the outback “in a state of confusion”.
“Some people might question why I left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there,” Wilga shared, according to ABC.
“The reason is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I suffered a significant head injury. As a result, I left my car in a confused state and became lost.
“I am simply beyond grateful to have survived.”
Wilga proceeded to thank those involved in her rescue “from the depth of my soul”, expressing that the efforts of police investigators, community members, and the German Consulate “gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments”.
“I want to express a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart – a thank you that truly comes from the depth of my soul! For all the incredible support during the search for me,” she said.
“I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support. The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments.
“For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Elsewhere in her message, Wilga stated that the rescue mission and those involved helped her find her place “in a culture on the other side of the world to my own”.
“Previously, I didn’t know where my place was in a culture on the other side of the world to my own, but now, I feel a part of it.
“I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here. 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.”
Wilga referred to Henly as her “rescuer and angel” before expressing gratitude to the country as a whole.
“Thank you, Australia – you are amazing.”
Additional details about Wilga’s almost two-week experience in the outback — where temperatures drop below freezing — were revealed by police over the weekend.
Police reported that Wilga became stranded while exploring the Karroun Hill nature reserve in her Mitsubishi Delica.
When the van became mechanically unsound, Wilga stayed with the vehicle for one day before venturing deeper into the outback to find help, spending 11 nights on foot and surviving on water from puddles and the few food items she had brought from her car.
Police found Wilga ravaged by mosquitoes and dehydrated. She was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital for medical treatment.
WA Premier Roger Cook mentioned that Wilga’s ordeal serves as a reminder to tourists about the harshness of the state’s climate.
“We know that Carolina is a very brave woman who’s had a remarkable escape from a very difficult situation,” he said, according to The West Australian.
“It’s an incredible part of the world, it’s a breathtakingly beautiful part of the world, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t take the right preparations.”
Wilga is currently recovering at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where her condition is improving.
Lead images: 9News and WA Police
