A woman who was lost in the wilderness for five days managed to survive on candy and wine.
Authorities have said the woman identified only as Lillian is lucky to be alive after she was left stranded in the Australian bushland.
The 48-year-old was on her way to Bright, Australia, for a short vacation when she reportedly failed to do her daily check-in call with loved ones on Sunday, April 30. They became suspicious and raised the alarm with authorities knowing something was amiss.
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Emergency services began searching for Lillian right away, in the areas of Mitta Mitta, Wodonga, Bright and Albury, which are all approximately 40 miles away from the nearest town.
Unfortunately, there was no trace of Lillian for five worrying days.
There was an encouraging break in the case last Friday (May 5) when the Wodonga Police Air Wing, which was conducting a sweep of the bushy and hilly terrain down below, spotted Lillian’s car at the end of a dirt road in the bushland of Mitta Mitta.
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The woman’s car had become stuck in the mud in the middle of the bushland and she was unable to make a phone call for help because there is no signal in the area. She was 60km away from the nearest town and due to health issues, she was unable to walk. Thankfully, she stayed by her car – which authorities praised as it made locating her easier – and she survived on a bottle of wine, despite not drinking under usual circumstances, and candy.
Wodonga Police Station Stg. Martin Torpey praised Lillian’s for not wandering off during the search. In a statement released after she was found alive, Torpey said: “Lillian was found a good 60km away from the nearest town and due to health issues she was unable to try and walk for help so stayed with her car.
“She used great common sense to stay with her car and not wander off into bushland, which assisted in police being able to find her.”
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Lillian was trying to drive to Dartmouth Dam when she hit a dead-end road at the end of Yankee Point Track, and realised she had taken a wrong turn, authorities said.
She tried to turn around but her car was stick in the mud.
Torpey explained: “She was only planning a short-day trip so had only taken a couple of snacks and [candy] with her but no water. The only liquid Lillian, who doesn’t drink, had with her was a bottle of wine she had bought as a gift for her mother, so that got her through,” Torpey said.
“While she couldn’t move her car, she was able to use the heater overnight to give her some warmth,” Torpey added. “After being lost in the bush for five days, she was extremely relieved and grateful to see us and we were just as happy to see her.”
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Lillian was taken to hospital after being found where she was treated for dehydration. She is expected to make a full recovery.
Hooray for wine and candy!
Topics: Australia, Good News, News, Food and Drink
Gregory Robinson