Latest news with #CarolineWilga
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
German backpacker lost in outback 'beyond grateful' to be found
A backpacker who survived nearly two weeks lost in Western Australia's outback has said she is "simply beyond grateful to have survived". Caroline Wilga, a 26-year-old German national, was rescued on Friday after spending 11 freezing nights alone and lost in the bushland. She survived by drinking from puddles and sheltering in a cave, police said. In her first public statement since being rescued, Ms Wilga said she had hit her head after losing control of her van, causing her to exit the vehicle in a state of confusion. She was spotted by a driver and airlifted to a hospital in Perth, where she is recovering. Ms Wilga thanked the medical staff, German consulate and all the people who had helped search for her, in a statement to Western Australia Police posted on Instagram. "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," she said. "Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there," Ms Wilga added. She said she "lost control of the car and rolled down a slope", hitting her head "significantly" in the subsequent crash. "As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost," she added. "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." She was found walking barefoot by motorist Tania Henley - whom Ms Wilga described as her "saviour and angel" - more than 30km away from where she had abandoned her van, on a scarcely used track north of Beacon. Ms Henley told Australia's public broadcaster ABC that she saw Ms Wilga waving by the side of the road, and she appeared to be in a "fragile state", suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, insect bites and an injured foot. "Everything in this bush is very prickly. I just can't believe that she survived. She had no shoes on, she'd wrapped her foot up," Ms Henley said. Before her rescue, Ms Wilga was last seen at a general store in the town of Beacon, Western Australia, in her van on 29 June. "I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support," she said. "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," she said. The rescue was down to "sheer luck", acting police inspector Jessica Securo said in a news conference. German backpacker found after 11 nights in Australia's outback
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
German lost in Australian outback 'beyond grateful' to be found
A backpacker who survived nearly two weeks lost in Western Australia's outback has said she is "simply beyond grateful to have survived".Caroline Wilga, a 26-year-old German national, was rescued on Friday after spending 11 freezing nights alone and lost in the survived by drinking from puddles and sheltering in a cave, police her first public statement since being rescued, Ms Wilga said she had hit her head after losing control of her van, causing her to exit the vehicle in a state of confusion. She was spotted by a driver and airlifted to a hospital in Perth, where she is Wilga thanked the medical staff, German consulate and all the people who had helped search for her, in a statement to Western Australia Police posted on Instagram."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," she said."Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there," Ms Wilga said she "lost control of the car and rolled down a slope", hitting her head "significantly" in the subsequent crash. "As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost," she added."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."She was found walking barefoot by motorist Tania Henley - whom Ms Wilga described as her "saviour and angel" - more than 30km away from where she had abandoned her van, on a scarcely used track north of Beacon. Ms Henley told Australia's public broadcaster ABC that she saw Ms Wilga waving by the side of the road, and she appeared to be in a "fragile state", suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, insect bites and an injured foot. "Everything in this bush is very prickly. I just can't believe that she survived. She had no shoes on, she'd wrapped her foot up," Ms Henley her rescue, Ms Wilga was last seen at a general store in the town of Beacon, Western Australia, in her van on 29 June."I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support," she said."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," she said. The rescue was down to "sheer luck", acting police inspector Jessica Securo said in a news conference.
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- NZ Herald
Mother issues devastating message as homicide detectives join in search for the 26-year-old
The mother of a German backpacker reported missing in Western Australia's wheatbelt has issued a devastating plea as the search for the 26-year-old intensifies. Caroline Wilga has been travelling in Australia for the past two years and was last heard from by friends on June 29. She was seen on
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Sinister twist in the hunt for missing German backpacker, two weeks after she vanished without trace in the remote WA outback
The search for missing German backpacker has taken a chilling new turn after a burnt-out van matching the description of her vehicle was reportedly discovered near a remote WA campsite. Caroline Wilga, 26, who has spent two years backpacking around Australia working at mine sites and farms, was last seen with the van on CCTV at a service station in Toodyay, northeast of Perth, on June 28. She made contact with friends the next day while travelling near Beacon, in WA's remote Wheatbelt region but then vanished without a trace. The burnt-out van, stripped of licence plates, was spotted by local man Geoff Roberts in Gnaraloo, on the Ningaloo coast, around 11 hours from Ms Wilga's last known location. Mr Roberts raised the alarm after seeing the call for information on the Western Australia Police Force Facebook page. 'Very similar vehicle to this one burnt out between Gnaraloo 3 Mile camp and the homestead. Plates have been removed,' he posted on social media, tagging in WA Police. Police are yet to confirm the link to the missing backpacker, but its discovery has deepened fears for Ms Wilga, who has not been seen or heard from in 12 days. She was believed to be travelling in the black and silver 1995 Mitsubishi Delica van with WA licence plates 1HDS330 and a distinctive rooftop tent. Police are yet to confirm the find, but the sinister claim has only deepened fears for the young woman, who has not been seen or heard from in 12 days. Her phone has since been switched off, and investigators say all contact stopped suddenly. Homicide detectives have now joined the case, though police say it is not officially a murder investigation 'at this point.' 'We are very concerned for her welfare,' WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch told reporters. 'They are investigating - not that it's a homicide at this point, but we want our very best capabilities to investigate something that is very concerning to us.' The WA Police air wing has also been deployed, with land and aerial searches underway across the vast outback region. Caroline is described as having a slim build, long frizzy dark blonde hair, brown eyes, and several tattoos, including on her left arm. Wilga has not been seen or heard from since her last contact with friends in Beacon. Before she was last seen, Ms Wilga would also routinely contact her family. Police say she was believed to be travelling in a black and silver 1995 Mitsubishi Delica van with WA licence plates 1HDS330 (pictured) and a distinctive rooftop tent They last heard from her on June 18. The family hold concerns for her welfare due to the lack of 'regular communication'. Her devastated mother, Katja from Castrop-Rauxel near Dortmund, appealed to the public for help in response to a post shared on social media. 'I'm her mother and need her help, as I can't do much from Germany,' she commented on a social media post. 'Carolina is still sorely missed. If anyone has any information, please contact the police. Please keep your eyes open!' Police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage from the Beacon area or northeast Wheatbelt between June 29 and July 4 to come forward.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- News.com.au
‘Keep your eyes open': Mum of missing German backpacker Caroline Wilga issues heartbreaking plea
The mother of a German backpacker reported missing in Western Australia's Wheatbelt has issued a devastating plea as the search for the 26-year-old intensifies. Caroline Wilga has been travelling in Australia for the past two years and was last heard from by friends on June 29. She was seen on CCTV at Beacon - about 333km northeast of Perth - on the same day. Her mother, who is from Castrop-Rauxel in Germany, issued a heartbreaking plea on social media following her daughter's disappearance. 'I'm her mother and need her [sic] help, as I can't do much from Germany,' she wrote. 'Carolina is still sorely missed.' She then issued a heartbreaking plea to others in the area. 'If anyone has any information, please contact the police,' she said. 'Please keep your eyes open!' WA Police Commissioner Colonel Blanch told media on Wednesday homicide detectives were now going to the Wheatbelt region to investigate Ms Wilga's disappearance. 'They are investigating, not that it's a homicide at this point, but we want our very best capabilities to investigate something that is very concerning to us,' he said. A spokesman told media police were conducting a land and air search to locate the missing woman. 'WA Police urge anyone with any information, or footage in the area of Beacon, WA, and the surrounding northeast Wheatbelt area between June 29, 2025 and July 4, 2025, to contact Crime Stoppers,' the spokesman said. Ms Wilga has mostly stayed in hostels while she has been travelling, and works at mine sites. She has a slim build, frizzy-curly long dark blonde hair, brown eyes and several tattoos, including a symbol on her left arm. Police believe she is travelling in a black and silver 1995 Mitsubishi Station sedan with WA number plates 1HDS330.
