A backpacker saves almost two weeks lost in Western Australian outback by drinking from puddles and sleeping in a cave, police said.
Carolina Wilga, 26, from Germany, survived Friday. He suffered fatigue, dehydration, “many insect bites” and an injured foot, according to police.
Officers say he walked 24km (15 miles) away from his van to a “confused and depressed” state after being hit by remote bushland.
Ms Wilga convinced himself not to find him, said the police, adding that the backpacker family was relieved and grateful.
“He gave 11 nights revealed to the elements and endured by consuming the small supply of food he owned, and drank water and puddles,” a statement of the western police.
The rescue falls on “Sheer Slowe”, said police inspector Jessica Securo at a news conference.
Ms Wilga found in a driver and was sent to a Perth hospital.
Tania Henley, the driver, speaks public ABC to Australian broadcaster he saw MS Wilga hanging on his hands on the side of the road, and he showed a “weak situation”.
“Everything in this bush is too much. I couldn’t believe he saved. He didn’t have shoes, he wrapped his feet,” says Ms Henley.
Before he was saved, Ms. Wilga was last seen in a general Beacon city store, Western Australia, in his van on July 29.
The police found his abandoned van on Thursday at Dense Boatland North of Beacon.
Securo said that appeared that Ms Wilga lost control of the car, which became mechanical unstable and fierce.
Ms Wilga has a “good night of sleep” at the hospital and “it took a day at an hour”, says Securo.
