Lost Backpacker Found After 10 Nights in Outback

German Tourist Suffered Confusion and Dehydration Following Van Accident

A German backpacker who spent ten harrowing nights lost in the Western Australian outback has been found safe, recounting how a head injury sustained in a crash led her to abandon her bogged vehicle.

Ordeal in Remote Bushland

Carolina Wilga, 26, was last seen on June 29 in the town of Beacon, approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Perth. She was discovered on Friday afternoon by a motorist. The ordeal left her with cuts, bruises, dehydration, and fatigue, enduring overnight temperatures that plummeted close to freezing.

Police located Wilga’s Mitsubishi van abandoned around 35 kilometers off a main track, deep within a dense bush nature reserve. The backpacker has expressed profound gratitude to those who aided her rescue.

Explaining the Decision to Leave

Addressing questions about her actions, Wilga shared her perspective via a statement issued by WA Police. “Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food and clothing there,” she stated.

“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.”

—Carolina Wilga

Wilga specifically thanked the motorist who found her, describing her as both a “rescuer and angel.” She also extended thanks to the police, search parties, the German Consulate, and the medical staff who provided care.

This incident highlights the extreme dangers of the Australian outback. In 2023, there were over 13,000 rescues conducted by state and territory emergency services across Australia, with many involving individuals lost or stranded in remote areas (ABC News, 2024).

Finding Strength in Community Support

Wilga believes the immense support she received was crucial to her survival. “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,” she shared, expressing heartfelt gratitude.

According to police, Wilga spent only one night with her vehicle after it became immobilized in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve. She then walked approximately 24 kilometers west, attempting to find a road, with limited food and water for the duration of her 11 nights in the wilderness.