Latest news with #Securo
1News
2 days ago
- 1News
German backpacker's Australian outback rescue 'sheer luck'
A German backpacker survived on minimal food and water for 11 nights in the rugged outback before finding a road and flagging down a motorist by "sheer luck". Carolina Wilga, 26, is recovering in hospital with cuts and bruises and suffering from dehydration and fatigue after a near two-week ordeal in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Wilga was found on Friday afternoon by a female motorist, after last being seen on June 29 at a general store in the town of Beacon about 300km northeast of Perth. Her disappearance triggered a massive search after a desperate plea from her mother amid concerns for her safety. Police have revealed Wilga spent just one night with her van after it got bogged in dense Karroun Hill Nature Reserve bushland, 35km off a main track. ADVERTISEMENT Carolina Wilga arriving back in Beacon and walking from a police vehicle onto a plane to be taken to Perth for medical treatment. She followed the sun and walked west, thinking that would be her best bet of finding a road. "She was essentially out in the wilderness for about 11 nights, which is significant," detective acting inspector Jessica Securo told reporters on Saturday. "[That] brings us back to how lucky she was that she was located safe and well, and how thankful we are that we managed to find her. "She is still in disbelief that she was able to survive. In her mind, she had convinced herself she was not going to be located." Wilga walked a total of 24km with "minimal food and water" before the chance encounter with Tania, who was driving past. ADVERTISEMENT "She was on the side of the road waving her hands. She was in a fragile state, but she was well. Thin but well," Tania told the ABC. "She'd been bitten by a lot of midgies. She said it was very, very cold." Temperatures dropped to zero at night in the region, while there was also heavy rain over several days. German backpacker Carolina Wilga. (Source: WA Police) Securo, who had spoken with Wilga, said the tourist had become very confused and disorientated and it was sheer luck she found the road. "The area out there ... it can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing or where you are going," Securo said. Wilga has had a "good night's sleep", food and a shower since being found and had been left overwhelmed by the media attention. ADVERTISEMENT She could continue her stay in Australia and still has the east coast on her bucket list, Securo said. "It's still early days and obviously she's focusing on her recovery [but] I know she wants to work in Australia," she said. "She still has so much travel to do here. I think if she has the ability to stay, she definitely will." Police are still trying to figure out how the van got into trouble, but said it appeared Wilga lost control trying to find a track. Securo said in survival situations, people were always better off staying with their car. "It's far easier for an aerial search to locate a vehicle than it is a person," she said.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Backpacker Found Alive After Nearly 2 Weeks Missing in Australian Outback
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Carolina Wilga, a German backpacker, was found alive after spending 12 days missing in the remote outback of Western Australia, according to local authorities. Wilga, 26, vanished on June 29 after her van became bogged down in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, a hostile and sparsely populated region north of the small town of Beacon. Why It Matters Wilga's rescue highlights the deadly risk and intense difficulty of surviving in Australia's vast, isolated bushland, where even experienced travelers are challenged by harsh natural conditions and limited contact with civilization. Her survival after being lost for almost two weeks—enduring freezing nights, rain, and a complete lack of communication—has been described as "remarkable" by police and has captivated international attention. The incident serves as a stark warning to visitors about the perils of venturing into remote Australian regions without proper preparation or safety equipment. What To Know Wilga was last seen on June 29 at a general store in Beacon, a rural town northeast of Perth. She was driving her van in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, described by police as a "serious piece of bush." However, the van became stuck around 22 miles from Beacon after which Wilga attempted to free it using recovery boards and wood. Western Australia Police Force Detective Jessica Securo said during a press conference on Saturday that the backpacker stayed in the van the first night before heading out on foot to seek help. Wilga told investigators that she looked at the sun and tried to travel west based on its location, according to Securo. "We never gave up hope that Carolina would be found safe and well, and this is truly the best outcome and best result we could wish for," Securo said. Wilga was ultimately discovered by a woman who was driving near the bush track. After being rescued, Wilga was airlifted to a hospital in Perth for further treatment, Securo said. The region where Wilga went missing is known for freezing nighttime temperatures, mixed difficult terrain, and total isolation. Police, supported by local residents and aerial search teams, launched an intensive search after finding her abandoned van. Weather during the ordeal included sub-zero nights and heavy rain, which complicated search operations. Wilga had some supplies in her van but no way to communicate, and police expressed concern about her exposure to the elements and the region's natural hazards, ABC News reported. During her nearly two-week trek, Wilga thought she might not survive, Securo told reporters. The woman who found the 26-year-old was also "quite overwhelmed" by the whole ordeal, according to Securo. Wilga has been traveling Australia for the past two years, The Guardian reported. "Carolina has told me that she loves Australia. She still has so much travel to do here," Securo said. "She hasn't made it over to the East Coast yet, so that's still on the bucket list." Australian outback Woodlands dirt road, Gascoyne, Western Australia - Jul 28, 2017. Australian outback Woodlands dirt road, Gascoyne, Western Australia - Jul 28, 2017. Paul Mayall/AP Images What People Are Saying Inspector Martin Glynn, Western Australia Police, said during a press conference: "As you can imagine, from the trauma she suffered for the last few days, she's been obviously through a great deal. She does have some injuries. She's been ravaged by mosquitoes. She's obviously been through an amazing journey, a trauma, no doubt – a testimony to demonstrating her bravery in those a very hostile environment out there, both from flora and fauna...a really, really challenging environment." Acting Detective Inspector Jessica Securo, Western Australia Police, said during a press conference: "It's sheer luck. The area out there, there's mixed terrain. It can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing or where you are going. It's very easy to get lost in that area. She's essentially out in the wilderness for about 11 nights, which is significant, and just brings us back to how lucky she was that she was located safe and well, and how thankful we are that we managed to find her." What Happens Next? Wilga is still being treated at a hospital in Perth following the ordeal. "I don't expect her to come out of hospital today, so she still needs some emotional support around her, and she still needs some injuries tended to so once the hospital determines that she's ready, we will work closely with them and just facilitate next steps," Securo said.
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
How backpacker was found after 11 freezing nights lost in the Australian Outback
Carolina Wilga spent 11 nights lost in the Western Australian Outback convinced nobody would find her. It was only by 'sheer luck' that a woman happened to be driving past the 'confused and disoriented' 26-year-old wandering miles from where she had to abandon her van. WA police acting detective inspector Jessica Securo said: 'She basically looked at the direction of the sun and tried to head west, thinking that would be her best bet of coming across someone or a road.' When finally found, Carolina was 'exhausted, dehydrated and hungry', 'ravaged' by mosquitoes, and covered in cuts and bruises. She was taken to the police and airlifted to a Perth hospital for treatment. 'This is the best result we could have hoped for,' Ms Securo said. 'We're incredibly grateful that she's been found safe, and obviously this is a huge relief for her family and all of her loved ones. 'We never gave up hope that Carolina would be found safe and well … the support of our WA community is our greatest asset, particularly in a state as vast as ours. 'It's sheer luck. The area out there is mixed terrain. It can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing or where you're going, and it's very easy to get lost.' The German backpacker is not expected to be released until later, with Ms Securo saying she still needs further 'emotional support' alongside other medical treatment. 'She's had a good night's sleep. She's had a shower,' the officer said. 'We've got her some food, which was a massive relief for her. 'So, she's just taking it one day at a time at the moment.' Carolina is now in 'frequent communication' with her family who are relieved and thankful the Western Australian community came together to 'throw every resource at locating their daughter'. Shehad been last seen on June 29 arriving in the van at a general store in the small agricultural community of Beacon, northeast of Perth. Police found the van on Thursday, abandoned after getting stuck in dense bushland north of Beacon, with plastic orange traction tracks placed beneath the rear wheels. 'It appears that she has somewhat lost control of the vehicle, and then it's become mechanically unsound, and bogged,' Ms Securo said. Carolina stayed with the van for one day before leaving the vehicle through 'panic', hoping to find help. More Trending 'She had minimal food and minimal water. From speaking to her, she has said she could have planned better,' Ms Securo added. Police say she had spent two years backpacking around the country, and was working at mine sites in Western Australia while staying mostly at hostels. 'Carolina has told me that she loves Australia,' Ms Securo said. 'She still has so much travel to do here. She hasn't made it over to the east coast yet, so that's still on her bucket list.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man posted about 'heartbreak' of ex-fiancée's death hours after 'murdering' her MORE: Tennis player shot dead by own 'insecure' dad over 'taunts he lived off her money' MORE: Sarah Grace Patrick's tearful eulogy that helped police charge her for parents' murder
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Japan Today
German backpacker escapes Australian outback ordeal by 'sheer luck'
German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush, and only made it out by "sheer luck", police said Saturday. The 26-year-old walked "confused and disoriented" 24 kilometers away from her van after it got stuck in remote bushland in Western Australia. As police searched for her by air, the backpacker's ordeal ended Friday when she managed to flag down a woman driving by who took her to police. She was airlifted to a Perth hospital for treatment. "She is still in disbelief that she was able to survive. In her mind, she had convinced herself that she was not going to be located," said Jessica Securo, acting inspector for the Western Australia police. The rescue was down to "sheer luck". "I actually spoke to Carolina this morning, so she confirmed that she was very confused and disorientated," Securo told a news conference. "She basically looked at the direction of the sun and tried to head west, thinking that that would be her best bet of coming across someone or a road." Wilga had been last seen on June 29 arriving in the van at a general store in the small agricultural community of Beacon, northeast of Perth. Police found the van on Thursday, abandoned after getting stuck in dense bushland north of Beacon, with plastic orange traction tracks placed beneath the rear wheels. "It appears that she has somewhat lost control of the vehicle, and then it's become mechanically unsound, and bogged," Securo said. She stayed with the van for one day before leaving the vehicle through "panic", hoping to find help. Wilga was found "exhausted, dehydrated and hungry", suffering from cuts and bruises, but "overwhelmed" to have found someone to help her. "She had minimal food and minimal water. From speaking to her, she has said she could have planned better." The terrain "can be quite dangerous", Securo added. Wilga remained in a Perth hospital and was not expected to be released on Saturday, still needing "emotional support" and treatment for some injuries. "She's had a good night's sleep. She's had a shower. We've got her some food, which was a massive relief for her. So she's just taking it one day at a time at the moment." The backpacker is now in "frequent communication" with her family who are relieved and thankful the Western Australian community came together to "throw every resource at locating their daughter", Securo said. The family had no plans at this stage to travel to Australia. Police say Wilga had spent two years backpacking around the country, and was working at mine sites in Western Australia while staying mostly at hostels. "Carolina has told me that she loves Australia. She still has so much travel to do here. She hasn't made it over to the east coast yet, so that's still on her bucket list." © 2025 AFP
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
German backpacker escapes Australian bush ordeal by ‘sheer luck'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Police in Western Australia released images of Ms Carolina Wilga visiting a convenience store before she went missing. SYDNEY - German backpacker Carolina Wilga lost hope of rescue after 11 nights in the Australian bush, and only made it out by 'sheer luck', police said on July 12. The 26-year-old walked 'confused and disoriented' 24km away from her van after it got stuck in remote bushland in Western Australia. As police searched for her by air, the backpacker's ordeal ended on July 11 when she managed to flag down a woman driving by, who took her to police. She was airlifted to a Perth hospital for treatment. 'She is still in disbelief that she was able to survive. In her mind, she had convinced herself that she was not going to be located,' said Ms Jessica Securo, acting inspector for the Western Australia police. The rescue was down to 'sheer luck'. 'I actually spoke to Carolina this morning, so she confirmed that she was very confused and disorientated,' Ms Securo told a news conference. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Singapore More NSFs may be recruited to tackle scams: Police Business F&B operators face tougher business landscape amid rising costs and stiff competition Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Life At 79, she can do 100 pull-ups: Why more seniors are hitting the gym Life The rise of Tupai King, the rage of weather: How durian season is changing Asia Search underway in Bali waters for missing Saudi tourist Life Hear Me Out: What I wish my parents knew before I was diagnosed with ADHD 'She basically looked at the direction of the sun and tried to head west, thinking that that would be her best bet of coming across someone or a road.' Ms Wilga had been last seen on June 29 arriving in the van at a general store in the small agricultural community of Beacon, north-east of Perth. Police found the van on July 9, abandoned after getting stuck in dense bushland north of Beacon, with plastic orange traction tracks placed beneath the rear wheels. 'It appears that she has somewhat lost control of the vehicle, and then it's become mechanically unsound, and bogged,' Ms Securo said. She stayed with the van for one day before leaving the vehicle through 'panic', hoping to find help. Ms Wilga was found 'exhausted, dehydrated and hungry', suffering from cuts and bruises, but 'overwhelmed' to have found someone to help her. 'She had minimal food and minimal water. From speaking to her, she has said she could have planned better.' The terrain 'can be quite dangerous', Ms Securo added. Ms Wilga remained in a Perth hospital and was not expected to be released on July 12, still needing 'emotional support' and treatment for some injuries. 'She's had a good night's sleep. She's had a shower. We've got her some food, which was a massive relief for her. So she's just taking it one day at a time at the moment.' The backpacker is now in 'frequent communication' with her family who are relieved and thankful the Western Australian community came together to 'throw every resource at locating their daughter', Ms Securo said. The family had no plans at this stage to travel to Australia. Police say Ms Wilga had spent two years backpacking around the country, and was working at mine sites in Western Australia while staying mostly at hostels. 'Carolina has told me that she loves Australia. She still has so much travel to do here. She hasn't made it over to the east coast yet, so that's still on her bucket list.' AFP
