New details revealed on how mosquito-‘ravaged' German backpacker was found alive in outback after major search

Sky News AU

5 hours ago

Fresh details on the "remarkable" discovery of a German backpacker who was missing after spending 12 days in the Australian outback, have been revealed.
Carolina Wilga, 26, disappeared on June 29, and it is believed she became lost in a vast rural area of Western Australia after her van was discovered without her in it.
On Friday night, Western Australia Police confirmed Ms Wilga had been located alive 'safe and well' in Karroun Hill Reserve area of the state's Wheatbelt region.
It followed a major nationwide search that later became centered on the van - which police believed had "suffered mechanical issues".
Inspector Martin Glynn had initially said Ms Wilga was found by a member of the public, who came across her walking on a bush track
'As you can imagine, from the trauma she suffered for the last few days, she's been obviously through a great deal,' Inspector Glynn said on Friday.
"She does have some injuries. She's been ravaged by mosquitoes. She's obviously been through an amazing journey."
WA Police Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo has now provided more details about Ms Wilga's discovery, revealing the 26-year-old had flagged down a motorist in an area 20km away from the closest walking track while limping along the roadside.
'She was very distressed, obviously exhausted, dehydrated, needed some food … but overall just relieved that she had come across someone and was able to get that help,' Inspector Securo told Weekend Today on Saturday.
"She actually flagged down a passing motorist, which was extremely lucky.
'... we're extremely grateful to that member of the community who helped us."
Inspector Glynn had said the German national was taken to Beacon before being flown to Perth to be provided medical attention.
Her family had been notified of her discovery.
The West Australian has reported five friends of the German backpacker were waiting out Royal Perth Hospital on Friday night, with one friend Miranda saying she was 'excited' to see Ms Wilga again.
Ms Wilga's parents, who Miranda had been in contact with, 'couldn't believe' the news their daughter had been located alive.
'We just heard from the news that she was found and alive, which had everyone excited,' Miranda said, according to the publication.
'I was actually in contact with her family every day almost and they're very happy.
'They almost couldn't believe it, but yeah, they were just overwhelmed with happiness.'
WA Premier Roger Cook on Friday said he was 'incredibly relieved' to hear the backpacker had been found alive.
'This news is nothing short of remarkable,' Mr Cook said in post on social media.
'To our emergency services and everyone who searched, shared information, and supported the family through this ordeal - thank you.'
Prior to her disappearance on June 29, Ms Wilga had been seen at 12.10pm visiting a general store in the small town of Beacon.
Five minutes later, the young woman seen wearing ripped blue baggy jeans, a cream long-sleeve jumper and a similar coloured scarf, got back into her van and left.
Ms Wilga had been backpacking in Australia for the last two years before her disappearance and had recently been working at mine sites in regional WA.