Rescued German backpacker Carolina Wilga has shared a photo of herself surrounded by food and gifts in hospital as she recovers from being stranded in the WA outback for 12 days.
In a photo posted to her social media last night, the 26-year-old revealed she lost a staggering 12kg while she was lost in the Wheatbelt region, more than 300km north-east of Perth.
“When you need to gain 12 kilograms back,” she captioned a photo of her sitting on a hospital bed holding flowers alongside a large assortment of baked goods, tea and snacks.
She then shared another photo of the treats with the caption, “Thanks to the German consulate!”
The update comes after Wilga released a statement via Western Australia Police yesterday saying she is “simply beyond grateful to have survived” and sharing her deepest thanks to every person who simply thought of her, as well as her rescuer.
“I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support,” she said.
“I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here.
“Thank you Australia – you are amazing.”
Wilga was picked up on the side of the road on Friday after she flagged down station owner Tania Henley some 24km from the site where she crashed her van 12 days earlier.
Henley described Wilga as “thin and fragile” when she found her.
”I pulled over and got out and gave her a hug,” Henley said.
“She was crying. It was pretty emotional… everybody would be fragile, you know.”
Yesterday Wilga revealed she abandoned her van because she hit her head significantly in a crash and left her car in a state of confusion.
Wilga said she survived by drinking from puddles and sleeping in caves, and walked west in the hope of coming across a person or road.
Having walked at least 14km, Wilga was exhausted, dehydrated and ravaged by mosquitoes when she was found, and also had an injured foot.
She was airlifted to the Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, where she is recovering.
