German backpacker Carolina Wilga's first words after 12 day disappearance revealed by local hero who found her
Carolina Wilga, 26, disappeared on June 29, and it is believed she became lost in a vast rural area of Western Australia after her van was discovered without her in it.
On Friday night, Western Australia Police confirmed Ms Wilga had been located alive 'safe and well' after being stranded for 12 days in Karroun Hill Reserve area of the state's Wheatbelt region.
Local farmer Tania French found the German tourist on the side of a road and immediately gave her a hug and told her about the frantic search effort that had taken place to find her.
Ms French spotted Ms Wilga waving her down when she was heading back to her home near Paynes Find, about 333km northeast of Perth.
She immediately knew it was the missing backpacker, considering the area was so deserted.
"I stopped. I went out and gave her a hug, I said, 'look, everyone has been looking for you.' She couldn't believe it. She didn't realise how long (she had been out there)," Ms French told Seven News.
"She said, 'you're my guardian angel' and I said, 'I don't know about that.'
'But she's just one very lucky person.'
The 26-year-old apparently drank rainwater from puddles and slept in a cave to survive her 12-day ordeal.
Ms French noticed she looked thin, but still remarkably well after being lost in the bush for quite some time.
WA Police Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo revealed Ms Wilga had flagged down a motorist in an area 20km away from the closest walking track while limping along the roadside.
'She was very distressed, obviously exhausted, dehydrated, needed some food … but overall just relieved that she had come across someone and was able to get that help,' Inspector Securo told Weekend Today on Saturday.
"She actually flagged down a passing motorist, which was extremely lucky.
'... we're extremely grateful to that member of the community who helped us."
Inspector Glynn had said the German national was taken to Beacon before being flown to Perth to receive medical attention.
Her family had been notified of her discovery.
The West Australian reported five friends of the German backpacker were waiting outside Royal Perth Hospital on Friday night, with one friend named Miranda saying she was 'excited' to see Ms Wilga again.
Ms Wilga's parents, who Miranda had been in contact with, 'couldn't believe' the news that their daughter had been located alive.
'We just heard from the news that she was found and alive, which had everyone excited,' Miranda said, according to the publication.
'I was actually in contact with her family every day almost, and they're very happy.
'They almost couldn't believe it, but yeah, they were just overwhelmed with happiness.'
WA Premier Roger Cook on Friday said he was 'incredibly relieved' to hear the backpacker had been found alive.
'This news is nothing short of remarkable,' Mr Cook said in post on social media.
'To our emergency services and everyone who searched, shared information, and supported the family through this ordeal - thank you.'
Prior to her disappearance on June 29, Ms Wilga had been seen at 12.10pm visiting a general store in the small town of Beacon.
Five minutes later, the young woman - who was wearing ripped blue baggy jeans, a cream long-sleeve jumper and a similar coloured scarf - was seen getting back into her van and leaving.
Ms Wilga had been backpacking in Australia for the last two years before her disappearance and had recently been working at mine sites in regional WA.
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