German backpacker Carolina Wilga admits she broke golden rule of survival after 11 days missing in Western Australia

Carolina Wilga admitted she broke the golden rule of survival, revealing how she stayed alive and the moment she discovered her rescuer.

Carolina Wilga in her hospital bed on Monday.

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The German backpacker who survived 11 nights lost in the freezing West Australian outback has revealed that she hit her head and became confused before she broke the golden rule of bush survival; she walked away from her vehicle.

Survival experts were privately not confident that Carolina Wilga would be found alive after searchers discovered her abandoned car in the dense Karroun Hill nature reserve, 310km northeast of Perth, at 1pm last Thursday.

Temperatures in the WA wheatbelt frequently hover near zero in July and the reserve is notoriously inhospitable with no major water sources.

However the next day, Ms Wilga waved down farmer Tania Henley on a little-used back road in the WA wheatbelt.

The moment Ms Wilga was first seen after being discovered by a farmer.

The 26-year-old was barefoot, ravaged by mosquitoes and “very very cold”. Ms Wilga was 24km from her vehicle.

On Monday, WA Police released a photo of Ms Wilga at Perth’s Fiona Stanley Hospital.

It included a written statement from Ms Wilga.

She began with “a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart” to everyone who searched for her.

“Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there,” Ms Wilga wrote.

“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.”

Ms Wilga said she was deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness and warmth shown to her.

“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.

Police provided CCTV of Ms Wilga in her van during their search for the German backpacker.

Ms Wilga.

“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!”

Ms Henley said she knew who Ms Wilga was the moment she saw her on the dirt road, about 20km from Ms Henley’s homestead. There had been blanket alerts across the district.

Ms Henley gave her a hug and told her “everybody’s looking for you”.

Ms Wilga was weak and dehydrated with an injured foot.

“I am simply beyond grateful to have survived,” Ms Wilga said in her written statement. “Thank you Australia – you are amazing.”