<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Carolina Wilga, the German backpacker who survived 12 days lost in the West Australian outback, has released a heartfelt thank you message from her hospital bed in which she revealed why she left her broken-down car at the start of her ordeal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 26-year-old was picked up on the side of the road on Friday and has spent the time since recovering, but today released her first public statement following her rescue, alongside a picture of her in hospital this morning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support," she said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/treasury-advice-leak-raise-taxes-lower-housing-targets-treasurer-jim-chalmers-response/37340233-73c5-4e79-8dce-f0dd01cdf759"><strong><span>Secret advice calls on government to hike taxes</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart...</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I am simply beyond grateful to have survived.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/missing-backpacker-wa-carolina-wilga-statement/3b13b816-8ec2-41a7-9e71-86184fbcea9e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Thank you Australia – you are amazing."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wilga also addressed why she left her Mitsubishi van, indicating she had become concussed during the crash in which it became bogged on the side of a road.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/census-australia-sex-gender-questions/a9f055c2-8555-4c30-9817-cd6dd1419b4c"><strong><span>New questions to be included on next month's Census Test</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wilga was found 24km from the site of the car crash by station owner Tania Henley after a large-scale police search, suffering from exhaustion, dehydration and a series of minor injuries, including extensive mosquito bites.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My deepest thanks also go to every single person who simply thought of me – and of course, to my rescuer and angel, Tania," Wilga said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pedestrian-injured-hit-by-car-woodville-road-sydney-south-west/903137fb-fc76-4f61-93fa-838d4ab43122"><strong><span>Woman critical after alleged hit and run on pedestrian crossing</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Carolina Wilga's full statement</span></strong><span></span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>First and foremost, I want to express a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart – a thank you that truly comes from the depth of my soul! For all the incredible supports during the search for me.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Previously, I didn't know where my place was in a culture on the other side of the world to my own, but now, I feel a part of it. I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here. 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.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>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.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>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!</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there. 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.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>I am simply beyond grateful to have survived.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Thank you Australia – you are amazing.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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