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Backpacker's update after ‘miracle' rescue

Backpacker's update after ‘miracle' rescue

Perth Now20 hours ago
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.'
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Backpacker's update after ‘miracle' rescue
Backpacker's update after ‘miracle' rescue

Perth Now

time20 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.'

Fake Chinese police car driver busted in Sydney for illegal weapons, impersonating police
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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:

German backpacker Carolina Wilga farewells Australia after 12 days lost in outback
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German backpacker Carolina Wilga farewells Australia after 12 days lost in outback

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. 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'. 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. 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.'

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