Carolina Wilga: German backpacker who survived 11 nights stranded in the Wheatbelt discharged from hospital
The 26-year-old, who went missing in the Wheatbelt, was found alive when she was spotted waving down a passing motorist on Friday afternoon.
After she met with police in Beacon — the townsite she was last seen on June 29 — the young traveller was flown to Perth and admitted to Fiona Stanley Hospital dehydrated and traumatised, and 12kg lighter.
She was ravaged by mosquitoes and covered in cuts and bruises.
The hospital confirmed Ms Wilga was discharged on Wednesday afternoon.
It has been reported Ms Wilga may travel back to Germany to see her family.
She had been in a stable condition for a number of days.
On Monday night, Ms Wilga posted photographs from her hospital bed at FSH surrounded by food gifted to her by the German Consulate.
'When you need to gain 12 kilograms back,' the photo caption read.
Police on Saturday said Ms Wilga became 'lost and disorientated' while exploring the Karroun Hill nature reserve.
When trying to look for her way out, she later lost control of her Mitsubishi Delica van.
After spending just one day with her van, which became bogged and 'mechanically unsound' about 36km from any track, Ms Wilga braved the elements for 11 nights on foot.
She survived by drinking water from puddles, sleeping in a cave and eating the minimal food left in her van.
The backpacker ventured 24km west from her vehicle by following the sun, before managing to flag down Tania French, a long-time Wheatbelt resident, as she was driving on Mouroubra Road around Bimbijy.
In a statement, she said she became lost after losing control of her van, hitting her head and wandering off from her bogged vehicle in a state of confusion.
'First and foremost, I want to express a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart — a thank you that truly comes from the depths of my soul,' she said in a statement released by WA Police this week.
'For all the incredible supports during the search for me.
'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.
'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.
'Especially to the police investigators, searchers, the German Consulate, the medical staff and the wonderful nurses who took care of me with so much compassion. My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me – and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania.'
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