Missing Woman Found Alive After Six Days in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, Survives Suspected Snake Bite and Harsh Conditions

A woman missing for six days in Australia’s Snowy Mountains has been found “dazed and injured” by emergency services following an extensive search and rescue operation. New South Wales (NSW) Police reported that Lovisa Sjoberg was located on Sunday afternoon local time, suffering from a suspected snake bite, dehydration, and a rolled ankle.

The 48-year-old avid photographer, known for her frequent visits to Kosciuszko National Park to document wild horses, was treated for her injuries at the scene before being transported to a hospital, where she remains in stable condition. Concerns for her safety had escalated after a hire car company reported her vehicle was overdue and could not reach her. Her car was later discovered unlocked and abandoned.

NSW Police launched a public appeal on October 21, initiating a widescale search with sniffer dogs, firefighters, park rangers, and a helicopter equipped with infra-red capabilities. Rescue efforts intensified as days passed without success, and temperatures in the park dropped to near-freezing at night.

Sjoberg was ultimately found by a National Parks and Wildlife Service officer on the Nungar Creek Trail at Kiandra. Superintendent Toby Lindsay shared that Sjoberg had been “wandering for days” in challenging bushland and reported that she believed she had been bitten by a copperhead snake four days earlier. Although typically non-aggressive, copperhead venom is a potent neurotoxin that can be fatal if untreated.

“She’s very fortunate to be alive… she obviously went through a tough time,” Supt Lindsay commented.