SYDNEY: German backpacker Carolina Wilga drank water from puddles and sheltered in a cave before escaping an 11-night ordeal in the Australian bush, police said on Saturday.

The 26-year-old walked 24 kilometers away from her van after it got stuck in remote bushland in Western Australia.

She had lost hope of being rescued but managed to flag down a driver who took her to police in Beacon, northeast of Perth.

Wilga was airlifted to a Perth hospital for treatment.

Police stated that she consumed minimal food supplies and drank rainwater and puddle water during her ordeal.

She also sought shelter at night, including in a cave.

Wilga suffered from exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect bites, and an injured foot.

The driver who spotted her described her as being in a fragile state with midges bites and cold.

Western Australia police acting inspector Jessica Securo stated that the rescue was down to sheer luck.

Wilga had convinced herself she would not be found.

She attempted to head west, hoping to come across someone or a road.

Until her rescue, Wilga had last been seen arriving at a general store in Beacon on June 29.

Police spotted her van abandoned in dense bushland with plastic orange traction tracks beneath the rear wheels.

It appeared that she lost control of the vehicle and it became mechanically unsound and bogged.

She stayed near the van for one day before leaving due to panic.

Wilga was overwhelmed to have found someone to help her.

The terrain is considered dangerous, according to Securo.

Wilga remained in hospital on Saturday, still requiring emotional support and treatment for some injuries.

She has been communicating with her family who are relieved at her rescue.

Police stated that she had spent two years backpacking around the country and working at mine sites while staying mostly at hostels.

Wilga expressed her love for Australia and plans to visit the east coast in the future.