German backpacker Carolina Wilga found alive in WA's outback
In short:
A German backpacker missing for 12 days in WA's outback has been found alive with just minor injuries.
Carolina Wilga, 26, was found by a member of the public walking near the edge of a remote and rugged nature reserve after her van was discovered abandoned deep in the bush.
What's next?
She endured harsh conditions including freezing nights and mosquito bites, and has been airlifted to Perth for medical care.
A German backpacker missing for 12 days in WA's outback has been found alive.
The ABC has confirmed Carolina Wilga, 26, was discovered alive late on Friday afternoon.
Prior to that, Ms Wilga was last seen on June 29 at a general store in Beacon in WA's Wheatbelt, three-and-a-half hours drive north-east of Perth.
Loading...Police discovered her abandoned vehicle deep in a nature reserve 36 kilometres north of the town on Thursday afternoon and conducted a large-scale aerial search.
A police spokesperson said Ms Wilga was found "safe and well".
WA Police Inspector Martin Glynn said Ms Wilga was found walking along a bush track at the edge of the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve by a member of the public.
The police plane leaves Beacon for Perth with Ms Wilga on board. (ABC News: Mya Kordic)
"She is now en route to a hospital in Perth for some medical attention," he said at a media conference just after 5:30pm.
"As you can imagine from the trauma she's suffered for the last few days, she's been obviously through a great deal.
A red marker on a map where Ms Wilga's broken down car was found. (Supplied: Google Earth/ABC News)
"She does have some injuries, she's been ravaged by mosquitoes, she's been through an incredible journey of trauma.
"No doubt, [it] will be a testament to demonstrating her bravery in these circumstances."
Ms Wilga is taken to hospital after arriving at Jandakot airport. (ABC News: Tahlia Davis)
The police plane carrying Ms Wilga arrived at Perth's Jandakot Airport just before 6:30pm, and from there she was taken to hospital by ambulance for a check-up.
'Fragile condition'
Inspector Glynn said Ms Wilga had been airlifted away from Beacon and her family had been notified of her wellbeing.
He said she was in a "fragile condition" and the conditions she endured would have been "a thousand times worse" than the difficult terrain searchers experienced.
Carolina Wilga was travelling Western Australia. (Instagram)
"You always go out with the best of hope that you will find the person and obviously this is a great outcome for everyone involved," Inspector Glynn said.
"I think once we do hear her story it will be a remarkable story.
Bush in the area is dense, as seen in this photo taken near the edge of Karroun Hill where agricultural land meets the wilderness. (ABC News: Mitchell Edgar)
"She's coped in some amazing conditions, it's a very hostile environment out there both from flora and fauna … and the weather conditions have been really adverse with temperatures getting down to zero at night."
Inspector Glynn said while the backpacker had minor injuries, she did not appear to be seriously hurt.
Martin Glynn thanks members of the community who helped with the search. (ABC News: Mya Kordic)
WA Premier Roger Cook posted on social media at 5:45pm WST thanking those who assisted in the search.
"This news is nothing short of remarkable," he wrote.
"To our emergency services and everyone who searched, shared information, and supported the family through this ordeal — thank you.
"We're yet to have the full picture of what happened, but tonight, we can all breathe a little easier knowing Carolina is safe and well."
Ms Wilga had been backpacking around Australia for the past two years and most recently was working on mine sites in regional WA.
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