A woman missing in the desert for almost a week was found alive, suffering from a snake bite

LONDON — Authorities said a woman who went missing in the desert more than a week ago was found alive and suffering from a snake bite.

The 48-year-old hiker, who has not been publicly identified, went missing on Monday, October 21, in the Snowy Mountains region of southern New South Wales, Australia.

According to a statement from New South Wales Police on Sunday, her disappearance was reported to Monaro Police District officers who “immediately commenced an investigation into her whereabouts.”

“A command post was established at the Kiandra Courthouse, off the Snowy Mountains Highway, in Kiandra, and a search began,” authorities said. “An extensive search involved officers from the Monaro Police District with assistance from the Mounted Unit, Dog Unit, SES, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Rural Fire Service and the Surf Lifesaving Helicopter. Citizens also helped.”

After almost a week of surviving alone in difficult and rugged bushland terrain, the missing and injured woman was found on Sunday at around 4.50pm local time by a National Parks and Wildlife officer on the Nungar Creek Trail in Kiandra, New South Wales Police said. .

“She was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for exposure and a possible snake bite before being taken to Cooma District Hospital in a stable condition,” police continued.

It is unclear whether the woman was alone or separated from the group when she went missing.

“Police would like to thank those involved in the multi-agency search, members of the public and the media for their assistance.”