Fed-up locals retrieve German backpacker's abandoned van
The now-famous traveller survived almost two weeks alone after her van became stuck in soft sand and she abandoned it, wandering off to try and get help.
She was miraculously found by Wheatbelt resident Tania French, who Wilga described as her 'angel.'
The 26-year-old spent the next several days recovering in a Perth hospital, revealing she had lost 12kg during the ordeal.
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Despite Wilga being safely back home in Germany, her van remained abandoned in the outback.
Wheatbelt Way posted a video on Facebook on Wednesday, explaining that a WA family had travelled deep into the bush to recover Wilga's van. Carolina Wilga: Backpacker's van recovered by Sprigg family in the Wheatbelt Credit: wheatbeltway/instagram / supplied
'She was found by a local, rescued and flown to Perth but her van remained. But then this happened. Locals from The Wheatbelt Way, the Sprigg family, stepped up, driving deep into the bush to recover Carolina's van. This is what community looks like,' the video says.
The post was flooded with comments, including from Fred Sprigg who seemed to be part of the community group that retrieved the van, but was left questioning his actions.
'Was a community effort. Don't like leaving rubbish in the bush. (It) was an expensive exercise to retrieve, would not have been worth it. Was questioning my life choices in the effort,' he wrote.
'Certainly more questions than answers. Is service on top of the rock. Van ran out of fuel on the way out. What would you do if it was your daughter on the other side of the world? I hope she found herself.'
Other commenters were quick to side with Sprigg, saying that Wilga's actions were reckless.
'Absolutely vandalism of the bush her driving like a nut case out there! Could of started fires too with exhaust on scrub. Ploughing down the scrub with recklessly dangerous choices,' one person said.
'Still can't understand how she ended up that far into the bush,' another person commented. Backpacker Carolina Wilga recovered in Fiona Stanley hospital in Perth after the ordeal. Credit: Unknown / Instagram
'Well done everyone, and to a few wingers out there, the bush will survive...would you be upset if it was a search patrol looking for you or a family member? This lady was blessed by folk who didn't give up,' one person wrote.
'Well done 'The Sprigg Family,' the family are Salt of the Earth who have a wonderful heart and community minded,' another said.
The Sprigg family has been contacted for comment.
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