Rescued backpacker Carolina Wilga bids farewell to Perth
The 26-year-old, in a since deleted Instagram post on Sunday morning, captioned a series of photos as 'the great goodbye to Perth' and included a photo of herself with friends at Cottesloe Beach.
Wilga was discharged from Fiona Stanley Hospital on Wednesday, managing to slip past media waiting outside.
It's understood she spent a few days staying with friends before flying out to Germany, again undetected by media crews at Perth Airport.
She spent five nights in hospital recovering from dehydration and insect bites after being lost in the West Australian outback for 12 days.
Her ordeal began when she was travelling solo in her Mitsubishi Delica through the Wheatbelt region and became bogged in remote bushland.
After spending a day waiting with her car, she panicked and decided her best bet was to start walking in the hope she came across another vehicle.
Eleven days later she flagged down a farmer travelling along a remote bush track on July 11, who then drove her to meet police.
It brought to an end a massive search that began when Wilga's worried family in Germany contacted police after not hearing from her. The last confirmed sighting of Wilga was on June 29, and the search began on July 4.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Concerning alleged find after man, 38, accusingly stalked radio host Jackie O Henderson in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs
A man charged with stalking KIIS FM radio host Jackie O Henderson was found outside her Clovelly home with a bolt in a sock, a court has heard. David Gourley was arrested in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs in early July after he allegedly stalked the radio star and would send her hundreds of Instagram messages. Police launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from Ms Henderson on July 3. The next day the 38-year-old was arrested while sitting on a bench outside her home. Police allege the 10-15cm bolt inside a sock was found when they searched Mr Gourley's satchel. David Gourley was arrested in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs in early July after allegedly stalking Jackie O Henderson. Picture: Facebook/Supplied Police launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from Jackie O Henderson on July 3. Picture: Instagram Waverley Local Court heard on Monday, the police feared the bolt inside a sock could have been used against Ms Henderson. The alleged stalker appeared via video link from prison, where he has been held on remand since his arrest. The court was told Mr Gourley sent 'hundreds if not thousands' of messages from January up until his arrest to the radio star. The 38-year-old is facing four counts of stalk/intimidate and one count each of using a carriage service to menace/harass, armed with intention to commit indictable offence and use offensive weapon to commit indictable offence. He entered not guilty pleas to all charges on Monday's hearing. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson (right) host their morning show on KIIS FM. Picture: Instagram Mr Gourley's solicitor Trudie Cameron told the court some of the messages were sexual in nature and 'troubling'. However, she added the messages were not aggressive in tone. Ms Cameron proposed bail conditions for him to be under house arrest so he can live with his partner. Magistrate Michael Barko said the messages would have been a 'great concern' for Ms Henderson, the court heard. Mr Barko described the allegations as 'disturbing', aligning with someone suffering serious untreated mental health condition. At the time of Mr Gourlay's arrest, he was taken to a mental health facility before being charged by police. The court heard he had been unmedicated at the time from his diagnosed schizophrenia. Mr Barko refused Mr Gourley bail due to not having a proposed mental health treatment plan or regime to address his mental health condition.
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
Backpacker's update after ‘miracle' rescue
German backpacker Carolina Wilga - whose disappearance sparked an enormous search-and-rescue operation in Western Australia - has returned home after her outback ordeal. The 26-year-old survived 12 days lost and alone in remote bushland before being rescued on July 11. She spent the next several days recovering in a Perth hospital, revealing she had lost 12kg during the ordeal. Following her release from hospital, Ms Wilga has now returned to Germany, with local publication BILD reporting: 'Carolina is home again!' She reportedly touched down in Dusseldorf early Sunday afternoon and was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she was met by a nurse and a team of bodyguards. Ms Wilga took to social media to bid a fond farewell to WA before her departure. 'Reunion with the ocean and a great goodbye to Perth with a loooots of hugs,' she wrote in the now-deleted social media post. 'Love you all.' She shared several pictures of herself with friends, her time in hospital, and the front page of a newspaper after her rescue. Ms Wilga last posted on social media on Thursday last week, sharing a picture from her hospital bed surrounded by pastries, chips and other treats. 'When you need to gain the 12 kilograms back,' she captioned the post. Caroline Wilga who spent nearly two weeks missing in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region. WA Police Credit: Supplied Before her disappearance Ms Wilga was last seen on June 29 in the regional WA town of Beacon. Her car was found stuck in soft sand, but authorities could not find any sign of the backpacker herself. A massive search effort went into finding Ms Wilga until local Tania Henley found her walking along the road on July 11. Ms Henley described the rescue as a 'miracle'. Ms Wilga's car was found in dense bushland. WA Police Credit: Supplied In a statement after her rescue, the backpacker explained she had got lost after losing control of her car and getting a knock to her head that left her confused. '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 depth of my soul! For all the incredible supports during the search for me,' Ms Wilga said in her statement. Ms Wilga's car at a petrol station. WA Police Credit: Supplied The last picture of Ms Wilga before her dissapearance. WA Police Credit: Supplied She said that the ordeal had made her feel deeply connected to the community that rescued her, despite it being so far from home. '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.'
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Fake Chinese police car driver busted in Sydney for illegal weapons, impersonating police
A 21-year-old male has been charged with a range of offences including impersonating police after being caught driving a Mercedes-Benz S350d limousine bearing bold 'POILCE' (sic) lettering on its bonnet. According to the NSW Police Force's Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Facebook page, officers from Burwood Highway Patrol were conducting patrols in Strathfield (Sydney) when they noticed the unusual black German limousine at about 2:50pm on Friday (July 18). "Officers made enquiries during which they identified and located a 21-year-old male nearby who was using this vehicle," said police. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Officers inspected the vehicle where they located numerous 'Chinese Police' insignia on the passenger door panels as well as the bonnet of the vehicle. "The 21-year-old person of interest gave Officers a fake document stating that the vehicle is being utilised to transport consulate officials from China." Police said that while conducting a vehicle search they located a box containing 48 live rounds of ammunition in the boot of the vehicle, and the man was immediately arrested after stating he believed it was the best place to store his ammunition. Officers seized the ammunition as well as other items in the vehicle believed to be used to impersonate police. The male, who holds an active firearms licence, stated he had two rifles in a gun safe at his Baulkham Hills residence, where police later located two gel blaster firearms which were immediately seized. His registered firearms were also seized, pending a review of his firearms licence. He was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court at a later date, charged with the following offences:Content originally sourced from: A 21-year-old male has been charged with a range of offences including impersonating police after being caught driving a Mercedes-Benz S350d limousine bearing bold 'POILCE' (sic) lettering on its bonnet. According to the NSW Police Force's Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Facebook page, officers from Burwood Highway Patrol were conducting patrols in Strathfield (Sydney) when they noticed the unusual black German limousine at about 2:50pm on Friday (July 18). "Officers made enquiries during which they identified and located a 21-year-old male nearby who was using this vehicle," said police. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Officers inspected the vehicle where they located numerous 'Chinese Police' insignia on the passenger door panels as well as the bonnet of the vehicle. "The 21-year-old person of interest gave Officers a fake document stating that the vehicle is being utilised to transport consulate officials from China." Police said that while conducting a vehicle search they located a box containing 48 live rounds of ammunition in the boot of the vehicle, and the man was immediately arrested after stating he believed it was the best place to store his ammunition. Officers seized the ammunition as well as other items in the vehicle believed to be used to impersonate police. The male, who holds an active firearms licence, stated he had two rifles in a gun safe at his Baulkham Hills residence, where police later located two gel blaster firearms which were immediately seized. His registered firearms were also seized, pending a review of his firearms licence. He was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court at a later date, charged with the following offences:Content originally sourced from: A 21-year-old male has been charged with a range of offences including impersonating police after being caught driving a Mercedes-Benz S350d limousine bearing bold 'POILCE' (sic) lettering on its bonnet. According to the NSW Police Force's Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Facebook page, officers from Burwood Highway Patrol were conducting patrols in Strathfield (Sydney) when they noticed the unusual black German limousine at about 2:50pm on Friday (July 18). "Officers made enquiries during which they identified and located a 21-year-old male nearby who was using this vehicle," said police. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Officers inspected the vehicle where they located numerous 'Chinese Police' insignia on the passenger door panels as well as the bonnet of the vehicle. "The 21-year-old person of interest gave Officers a fake document stating that the vehicle is being utilised to transport consulate officials from China." Police said that while conducting a vehicle search they located a box containing 48 live rounds of ammunition in the boot of the vehicle, and the man was immediately arrested after stating he believed it was the best place to store his ammunition. Officers seized the ammunition as well as other items in the vehicle believed to be used to impersonate police. The male, who holds an active firearms licence, stated he had two rifles in a gun safe at his Baulkham Hills residence, where police later located two gel blaster firearms which were immediately seized. His registered firearms were also seized, pending a review of his firearms licence. He was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court at a later date, charged with the following offences:Content originally sourced from: A 21-year-old male has been charged with a range of offences including impersonating police after being caught driving a Mercedes-Benz S350d limousine bearing bold 'POILCE' (sic) lettering on its bonnet. According to the NSW Police Force's Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Facebook page, officers from Burwood Highway Patrol were conducting patrols in Strathfield (Sydney) when they noticed the unusual black German limousine at about 2:50pm on Friday (July 18). "Officers made enquiries during which they identified and located a 21-year-old male nearby who was using this vehicle," said police. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Officers inspected the vehicle where they located numerous 'Chinese Police' insignia on the passenger door panels as well as the bonnet of the vehicle. "The 21-year-old person of interest gave Officers a fake document stating that the vehicle is being utilised to transport consulate officials from China." Police said that while conducting a vehicle search they located a box containing 48 live rounds of ammunition in the boot of the vehicle, and the man was immediately arrested after stating he believed it was the best place to store his ammunition. Officers seized the ammunition as well as other items in the vehicle believed to be used to impersonate police. The male, who holds an active firearms licence, stated he had two rifles in a gun safe at his Baulkham Hills residence, where police later located two gel blaster firearms which were immediately seized. His registered firearms were also seized, pending a review of his firearms licence. He was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court at a later date, charged with the following offences:Content originally sourced from:
