BREAKING NEWS German backpacker Carolina Wilga breaks her silence after miracle survival in the outback - and answers the question all Australia has been asking
Ms Wilga, 26, spent 11 nights trekking through thick scrub in Western Australia 's Wheatbelt region after her van became bogged in in the Karroun Hill area.
After surviving by drinking water from puddles and finding makeshift shelters, including a cave, the young tourist was finally rescued when station owner Tania Henley saw her on the side of a remote road on Friday.
After spending the weekend recovering in hospital, Ms Wilga shared a statement through WA Police on Monday.
'First and foremost, 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 supports during the search for me,' she said.
'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.'
The German attributed her survival '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,' she said.
'Especially to the police investigators, searchers, the German Consulate, the medical staff and the wonderful nurses who took care of me with so much compassion.
'My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me – and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania!'
Ms Wilga also addressed the question on the mind of many Aussies, why did she leave her car?
'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.
'I am simply beyond grateful to have survived.
Thank you Australia – you are amazing.'
Ms Wilga was last seen at about midday on June 29 at a general store in Beacon, a small town about 300km north-east of Perth.
Authorities found her van abandoned in the Karroun Hill area - about 50km northeast - on Thursday with fears the young backpacker may have met a grim end.
Police have revealed Ms Wilga was able to survive the 11 nights in the remote outback by drinking water from puddles and rationing the limited food she'd brought with her.
She found whatever shelter she could at night to protect herself from freezing conditions, including a cave.
When Ms Henley unexpectedly found the backpacker, Ms Wilga was dehydrated, had injured her foot, and was covered in mosquito bites.
The station owner gave Ms Wilga an apple and called police to report her miraculous discovery.
The German was filmed boarding a police plane an hour later, dressed in a long skirt and jumper.
She had a scarf bandaged around her foot and walked to the cabin with a slight limp.
Ms Wilga was flown to Perth's Fiona Stanley Hospital, where WA Police Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said she would remain on Saturday.
'She still needs emotional support around her and some of her injuries attended to,' she said.
Ms Wilga was struggling to comprehend her ordeal and rescue in the hours after.
'She is still in disbelief that she was able to survive. In her mind, she had convinced herself that she was not going to be located,' Insp Securo said.
'[Spending] 11 days out there is significant.
'She got to a point where she thought no one was coming.'
Ms Wilga was last seen at a convenience store in Beacon on June 29, after filling her van up with fuel the previous day 200km away in Toodyay.
Police were alerted to her disappearance after her family in Germany couldn't reach her.
The report sparked a massive manhunt, including homicide squad officers.
A PolAir helicopter found her van on Thursday. It had been bogged in Karroun Hill Reserve, around 100km from her last known location.
Ms Wilga later told police she made the decision to abandon her car after one night while in a state of 'pure panic'.
'She basically looked at the direction of the sun and tried to head west, thinking that would be her best bet of coming across someone or a road,' Insp Securo said.
Family and friends of Ms Wilga rejoiced at the news of her finally being found on Friday.
Five of her friends were waiting for her outside the hospital and told reporters they planned to take her out for a pub feed once she recovered.
'We just heard from the news that she was found and alive, which had everyone excited,' friend and fellow traveller Miranda told the West Australian.
She said Ms Wilga's parents 'couldn't believe' their daughter had been found.
'They almost couldn't believe it, but yeah, they were just overwhelmed with happiness,' she said.
Friend Jules Briand said he was keen to hear Ms Wilga's incredible story of survival.
'I can't wait to hug her and tell her that she got us worried ... and have good food and drink with her,' he said.
WA Police Inspector Martin Glynn told reporters it was sure to be a 'remarkable' story.
'As you can imagine from the trauma she's suffered for the last few days, she's been obviously through a great deal,' Insp Glynn said.
'She's obviously in quite a fragile condition at the moment.
'She's coped in some amazing conditions. (It's a) very hostile environment out there.'
Insp Securo called for Ms Wilga's story to be remembered as a warning to those travelling through remote areas.
'Invest in things like personal locator beacons, where you may be able to raise emergency services if you come into trouble,' she said.
'You're best off remaining with your car far easier for an aerial search to locate a vehicle than it is a person.'
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