A woman who became lost in the wilderness survived on just lollipops and a bottle of wine for five days.
According to officials, the woman, referred to by police only as Lillian, took a wrong turn while on vacation, leading her to become stuck inside her car in remote Victoria, Australia, without mobile reception.
After trying to drive to Dartmouth Dam the 48-year-old hit a dead end at Yankee Point Track and suddenly realised she wasn't where she was supposed to be.
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While trying to backtrack, her car became stuck in the mud, and her phone couldn’t reach reception.
Her loved ones raised the alarm after Lillian didn’t make her daily call to check in on her family on 30 April.
Emergency services carried out extensive searches of the Mitta Mitta, Wodonga, Bright and Albury areas; however, they couldn't find any sign of Lillian.
But over the weekend, while the police Air Wing was sweeping the hilly terrain, they spotted Lillian’s car in the Mitta Mitta bushland.
A local police van was directed by the helicopter to her location, where she was found alive and well.
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Wodonga Police Station Sergeant Martin Torpey said that as the woman was only planning a short trip, she had only packed a few snacks with her.
“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,” he said in a statement.
“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.
“She was only planning a short-day trip so had only taken a couple of snacks and lollies with her but no water.
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“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.”
Who knew a bottle of vino and some Chupa Chups could save a life? We must’ve missed this Bear Grylls episode.
He added: “While she couldn’t move her car, she was able to use the heater overnight give her some warmth.
“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.”
Charisa Bossinakis