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Lost For 12 Days In The Outback: German Backpacker Found Alive In Miracle Rescue

July 14, 2025

After nearly two harrowing weeks lost in the remote Western Australian bush, 26-year-old backpacker Carolina Wilga has been found alive and is now recovering in a Perth hospital.

Her survival story is being hailed as nothing short of a miracle.

Carolina Wilga / Credit: Western Australia Police Force

Carolina was discovered Friday afternoon by a local farmer, Tania Henley, walking barefoot along a remote, unsealed road more than 19 miles from where she had abandoned her van. The vehicle had become bogged deep within the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve, a remote and rugged area about 150 kilometers from the town of Beacon.

In her first public statement since her rescue, Carolina shared that after losing control of her van and crashing down a slope, she suffered a significant head injury. Disoriented from the accident, she left the van—despite having food, water, and clothing—and became lost in the bushland.

“I am simply beyond grateful to have survived,” she wrote. “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.”

Authorities say Carolina endured 11 nights in the wild, facing freezing nighttime temperatures, a foot injury, and relentless mosquito bites. She managed to survive on limited supplies and collected water from puddles and rain. At night, she sought shelter wherever she could—including a cave.

Inspector Martin Glynn of WA Police described the area as extremely challenging, both due to its harsh landscape and wildlife. He praised Carolina’s resilience and bravery, calling the outcome “a great result for everyone involved.”

Police had launched a broad search effort, eventually locating her abandoned van using aerial surveillance. Tracks and recovery tools around the vehicle indicated she had made several attempts to free it. On the same day police expanded their ground search, Carolina was found entirely by chance.

Carolina's car / ABC News Australia

“I was coming back from Beacon to pick up a trailer,” said Tania Henley, who owns the remote cattle property Bimbijy Station. “She was on the side of the road waving her hands.”

Henley, whom Carolina now calls her “rescuer and angel,” said it could have been days before another person was travelling on the road where she found Ms Wilga.

In her message of thanks, Carolina said she had previously struggled to find her place while traveling far from home—but now feels deeply connected to the people of Western Australia.

Full statement from from Carolina Wilga:

"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.

"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. For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

"Especially to the police investigators, searchers, the German Consulate, the medical staff and the wonderful nurses who took care of me with so much compassion. My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me – and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania!

"Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there. The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly. As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost.

"I am simply beyond grateful to have survived. Thank you Australia – you are amazing."