German backpacker Carolina Wilga has issued her first public statement in the wake of a harrowing ordeal in which she was lost in the WA outback for 11 days.
ICYMI, Wilga, 26, was miraculously found alive last Friday after a harrowing 11 days in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, after a massive police operation was launched when she was first reported missing on June 29.
Despite a major police operation, she was found by complete chance by a member of the public, Tania Henley, about 24km from her car.
Now, in her first comments since her rescue, Wilga said her ordeal began after a car crash left her wandering off into the outback “in a state of confusion”.
“Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there,” Wilga said, per the ABC.
“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.
“I am simply beyond grateful to have survived.”
Wilga went on to thank those involved in her rescue “from the depth of my soul”, saying the efforts of police investigators, members of the community and the German Consulate “gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments”.
“I want to express a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart – a thank you that truly comes from the depth of my soul! For all the incredible support during the search for me,” she said.
“I am certain that I survived only thanks to this 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.
“For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Elsewhere in the message, Wilga said the rescue mission and those involved had helped her find her place “in a culture on the other side of the world to my own”.
“Previously, I didn’t know where my place was in a culture on the other side of the world to my own, but now, I feel a part of it.
“I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here. Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community.
“Here, humanity, solidarity, and care for one another are what truly matter – and in the end, that’s what counts most.”
Wilga called Henly her “rescuer and angel” before thanking the country as a whole.
“Thank you Australia – you are amazing.”
It comes as further details around Wilga’s almost two-week spell in the outback — where temperatures plummet below freezing — were revealed by police over the weekend.
Police said Wilga had become stranded while exploring the Karroun Hill nature reserve in her Mitsubishi Delica.
When the van became mechanically unsound, Wilga spent one day with the vehicle before venturing deeper into the outback to find help, spending 11 nights on foot and surviving on water from puddles and the few food items she brought from her car.
Police found Wilga ravaged by mosquitoes and dehydrated. She was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital for medical treatment.
WA Premier Roger Cook said Wilga’s ordeal is a reminder to tourists about the harshness of the state’s climate.
“We know that Carolina is a very brave woman who’s had a remarkable escape from a very difficult situation,” he said, per The West Australian.
“It’s an incredible part of the world, it’s a breathtakingly beautiful part of the world, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t take the right preparations.”
Wilga is currently recovering at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where her condition is improving.
Lead images: 9News and WA Police
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