Backpacker needs to ‘gain 12kg back’ after ordeal in WA outback

German backpacker Carolina Wilga, rescued late Friday afternoon after spending 11 nights stranded in the West Australian outback, is working on regaining what was lost in her ordeal.

Wilga posted to Instagram on Monday night stating she needed to “gain 12 kilograms back” after losing control of her car and getting lost in the bush.

Carolina Wilga is recovering in hospital.Credit: Instagram

In the accompanying images, Wilga is surrounded by food in her hospital bed at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth.

In the posts she also thanked the German Consulate for gifting her the food, including fruit, baked goods and tea.

Tuesday marks the start of her fourth full day in hospital recovering.

WA Police on Saturday revealed Wilga was flown to Perth from the state’s Wheatbelt region for medical treatment of dehydration and injuries including sunburn, extensive insect bites and an injured foot.

She was rescued by Tania Henley, who lives on Bimbijy Station and was returning from a “quick two-hour trip” to the small town of Beacon.

On Tuesday, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said it was “pure luck” Henley was driving on Mouroubra Road – a track, not a main road – when Wilga emerged.

“She’s just an incredible person … everything lined up at the right time … an amazing tale,” Blanch said.

“The thing that Carolina had in her favour was the weather. She had certainly good skills to keep moving and tracking in the one direction … it was a miracle that Tanya turned up when she did.

“The entire search and rescue team were elated that we recovered Carolina alive.

“I know the town of Beacon and the surrounding towns were out there looking as well … that brings us all comfort, because if any of us lost a loved one in our rugged outback, we know that our community will always be out there helping us.”

He said police had not been in contact with Wilga’s family directly but had facilitated them to contact her from Germany after her rescue.

Blanch also confirmed police had been unaware she had hit her head when she was first rescued, and were unsure about Wilga’s intentions and destination before her crash.

Rescuer Tania Henley, who Wilga called her “guardian angel”, told media it was incredible she had survived.

“[Her car] was nowhere near where I found her – nowhere,” Henley said.

“She was thin, fragile – and everybody would be fragile. Twelve days to be missing out in the bush is usually not a good result, really.

“I pulled over and got out and I gave her a hug – she was crying, it was pretty emotional all right.”

The backpacker released a statement on Monday after spending the weekend recovering.

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

“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.”

She said she felt a part of Australian culture after her ordeal, and said WA had “taught me what it really means to be part of a true community”.

WA Premier Roger Cook said “the more we find out about this story, the more we are just amazed” by Wilga’s resilience and the circumstances that led to her discovery.

“The effort that went into [her rescue] by the emergency services and the police in particular, and, of course, the incredible luck that she had to be discovered,” he said.

“She’s now in hospital, she’ll be there for a few more days, and I see ... she’s enjoying quite a few snacks.

“The opportunity to be able to put on 12 kilos is one that a lot of us would look forward to.”

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