Remarkable Survival Story: German Backpacker Rescued After 11 Days in Outback

After 11 nights lost and struggling in the harsh environment of Western Australia, backpacker Carolina Wilga was finally rescued, highlighting both her resilience and a stroke of luck that led her to safety.

Carolina Wilga, a 26-year-old German backpacker, found herself stranded in the unforgiving terrain of Western Australia's outback for an agonizing 11 nights before being rescued. The ordeal began when her van became stuck in remote bushland, prompting her to wander away in a confused state. Wilga's survival instincts kicked in, allowing her to drink water from puddles and consume minimal food supplies while facing exhaustion, dehydration, and numerous insect bites.

On Friday, Wilga was discovered by a passing driver, Tania Henley, who noticed the backpacker signaling for help alongside the road. Henley described Wilga's condition as fragile, recounting that she was barefoot and had wrapped an injured foot. "Everything in this bush is very prickly. I just can't believe that she survived," Henley remarked on witnessing the survivor in such a state.

The Western Australia Police confirmed that Wilga had last been seen on June 29 at a general store in Beacon, where her journey took a turn that would see her vehicle bogged down and ultimately left abandoned. Acting police inspector Jessica Securo acknowledged the role of sheer luck in the rescue, stating that Wilga had convinced herself she would never be found during her stay in the wilderness. Following her airlift to a hospital in Perth, Wilga is now reported to have had a good night's rest and remains optimistic, taking her recovery one day at a time.