By ASHLEY KNICKEL, OLIVIA DAY AND NICK WILSON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA and AARON BUNCH FOR AAP
The miracle survival of a German backpacker stranded in the harsh West Australian Outback for nearly two weeks has not left her without a lingering physical toll.
Carolina Wilga lost 12kg over the 12 days she was in the desert – averaging dropping a kilogram a day – after subsisting on nothing but dirty water slurped from puddles and the meagre scraps of food she could carry on her.
The 26-year-old disappeared on June 29 near the remote town of Beacon, 300km northeast of Perth, and was found on Friday by a local station owner after she stumbled onto a dirt road in front of her ute.
For the first time since her miraculous discovery, she returned to social media on Tuesday in a series of posts shared from the bed of a Perth hospital.
Ms Wilga playfully smiled while holding a bunch of flowers in one image, surrounded by a vast array of food. ‘When you need to gain 12 kilograms back,’ the Instagram caption read.
The second image is a close-up of the selection of treats, including chocolate and pastries. ‘Thanks to the German Consulate,’ its caption said.
Police triggered a desperate search for the missing backpacker by land and air after friends and family reported her missing.
Ms Wilga returned to social media on Monday night, where she appeared well-stocked after losing 12kg across her 11 nights among the elements
Caroline Wilga (pictured) is recovering in a Perth hospital after disappearing on June 29
Ms Wilga said she decided to abandon her van (pictured) after injuring her head in an accident and becoming confused
She 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.
On Friday, she was found walking barefoot on an unsealed access road by local farmer Tania Henley about 24km from her car.
In a statement shared by WA Police on Monday, Ms Wilga thanked Ms Henley as a ‘rescuer and angel’.
She also recounted the events leading to her discovery.
‘Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food and clothing there,’ she said in the statement issued by WA Police.
‘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.’
Pictured is an array of goodies Ms Wilga thanked the German Consulate for on social media
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.
Ms Wilga suffered cuts, bruises, dehydration and fatigue during her ordeal in bushland, where overnight temperatures fell to almost freezing.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch said Ms Wilga’s survival was remarkable given the amount of time she had spent in the wilderness.
‘That’s not something you would ordinarily expect, particularly in regional WA,’ Mr Blanch told 6PR radio.
‘To meet Tania on the road just at that moment (was) extraordinary luck.’
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.
The backpacker is pictured boarding an aircraft in WA on Friday after 12 days in remote bush
‘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.
Ms Wilga believes she survived because of an ‘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,’ she said.
‘For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
