An Australian woman who became stranded in the Australian bush after losing her bearings survived for five days on wine and lollipops, Victoria Police said on Friday. Police helicopters located the woman, who waved her hands wildly, desperate for rescue, after her family reported her missing when she failed to call them to check in as she usually did every day.
The 48-year-old woman, identified only by her first name, Lillian, was on her way to visit her mother when she took a wrong turn and her car got stuck in mud in Mitta Mitta, nearly 40 miles away from the nearest town. Thankfully, she was eventually found safe, though she did have to be treated at a local hospital for dehydration.
Because she was only going to be away for the day, she didn’t have anything in the way of survival supplies in her car. All she did have was some lollipops and a bottle of wine. However, Lillian doesn’t normally drink alcohol. “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,” said Wodonga Police Station Sergeant Martin Torpey.
While authorities searched the area by foot for several days, there was no sign of Lillian or her car until the police helicopter was sent out. Sadly, Lillian’s physical limitations meant she was unable to try and leave the area to look for help.
“Due to health issues she was unable to try and walk for help so stayed with her car,” Torpey said. “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.”
Thank goodness for those lollipops and wine. It’s hard to imagine what would have become of Lillian if she didn’t have those handy!
