‘Dazed’: Nightmare details on woman's rescue after snake bite

The woman is lucky to be alive six days after going missing in NSW’s Kosciuszko National Park.

A woman is lucky to be alive after being found “dazed and injured” after being bitten by a snake four days ago.

Lovisa Sjoberg, 48, was rescued from National Parks and Wildlife Service on Sunday after going missing for nearly a week.

The “avid” photographer was reported missing on October 21 after she had failed to return her hire car, which was overdue.

Lovisa Sjoberg was found with a suspected snake bite nearly a week after she was reported missing.

Ms Sjoberg was found “dazed and injured” on the Nungar Creek Trail at Kiandra by a National Parks and Wildlife Service officer, following a large-scale search consisting of “dozens of agencies” including the SES, police Aviation Command and Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.

“We had in excess of 30 people physically in the field every single day searching for the missing woman,” Superintendent Toby Lindsay told the media on Monday. “We held grave concerns for the missing woman and (are) very glad she’s been found safe and reasonably well.”

Four days prior to being found Ms Sjoberg was bitten by a snake, which officers believe could be from a copperhead snake.

A copperhead snake is a venomous species, a bite from an adult of any of the species may be potentially fatal without medical assistance.

Ms Sjoberg was also treated for a rolled ankle and dehydration upon rescue.

“She’s in fact very fortunate to be alive and we’re glad that she is,” Superintendent Lindsay said. “She obviously went through a tough time.”

Ms Sjoberg was last seen on October 15 entering Kosciuszko National Park.

The 48-year-old was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

She was taken to Cooma District Hospital, where she remains in a “reasonable condition”.

Superintendent Lindsay said all things considered, Ms Sjoberg was “happy to be alive”.

“Our detective spoke to her last night and at this stage, we’ll let her be to make sure she recovers appropriately,” the superintendent added.

Officers held “significant concerns” for Ms Sjoberg’s welfare, as temperatures in the Kosciuszko National Park “varied from in the 20s down to zero degrees”.

“We really had significant concerns for her welfare, which were obviously justified by the condition she was found in,” Superintendent Lindsay said.

Photographer, Lovisa Sjoberg has been found since going missing in Kosciuszko National Park and being bitten by a snake. Picture: Facebook

Ms Sjoberg had been hiring a grey Mitsubishi Outlander when the company reached out to police after noticing it hadn’t been returned six days after it was planned.

The company managed to track the car with a GPS, with Inspector Woods earlier saying there was concern, as the car was “in situ” since October 15.

“She’s had it in her possession for approximately 80 days … we know she’s had some regular use of the vehicle,” Inspector Woods said.

“For it to then to be left stationary for six days doesn’t appear to be regular.”

He described Ms Sjoberg as a “capable hiker” and familiar with the Kosciuszko National Park.

Police have since warned other hikers to be cautious and urged them to complete a trip intention form ahead of their next adventure.

“We’ve got a beautiful countryside, the national park is gorgeous,” said Superintendent Lindsay. “Make sure your loved ones know where you are.”

Originally published as ‘Dazed’: Nightmare details on woman's rescue after snake bite