Carolina Wilga rescue turns spotlight on search for missing prospector

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The remarkable survival of German backpacker, Carolina Wilga, who was rescued after 11 days lost in WA's remote Wheatbelt, has put the spotlight on the dangers associated with travelling in the outback. A tactical searcher familiar with the area where she was found has revealed the challenges faced by rescuers, as he remains on the hunt for any sign of another missing person.

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00:00In this dense bushland, the silence is deafening.

00:06It's near where German backpacker Carolina Vilga endured sub-zero temperatures,

00:12defying the odds to survive for almost two weeks before being rescued.

00:17A landscape known all too well by volunteer missing persons tracker Rick Heaton.

00:23Very difficult and she's a very lucky girl.

00:28The snakes out here, most of them are venomous and you look at Australia's venomous snakes,

00:32we've got a lot of them, very easily slip, trips or falls.

00:35You could end up on a mulch stick impaling yourself.

00:39You can get flicked in the eye by some of the timbers.

00:42Everything sort of looks the same but different everywhere

00:45and there's no same marker point anywhere unless you've got a view of the horizon,

00:50you're not going to be able to navigate.

00:52Prompting a warning for visitors to the area to do their research and carry essential items.

00:58Hydration is the biggest thing.

01:00I have my military kit with me which is, it's robust, it lasts.

01:05I carry three litres of water, a couple of snacks, a GPS, in reach,

01:10a satellite communication device and a PLB and first aid kits.

01:15Mr Heaton will continue to search for any sign of the missing prospector.

01:19So thank you, everyone, and I will stay tuned very far.

01:20Take care.

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