Woman bitten by snake found alive after week-long search in remote Snowy Mountains

Lovisa Sjoberg, a 48-year-old photographer, had been missing for nearly two weeks before she was discovered alive on Sunday afternoon in Kiandra, approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Canberra. The authorities launched a search for her on October 21, after she was last seen driving a gray SUV in Kosciuszko National Park the previous Tuesday.

According to a statement from New South Wales police, “About 4:50 PM today, the woman was located injured by a National Parks and Wildlife Service officer on the Nungar Creek Trail at Kiandra.”

She received on-site treatment from NSW Ambulance paramedics for exposure and what is suspected to be a snake bite before being transported to Cooma District Hospital in stable condition. Reports indicate that Sjoberg had been in the wilderness and believed she had been bitten by a copperhead snake four days prior to her rescue.

The Australian Museum warns that copperhead snake venom is significantly neurotoxic, hemolytic, and cytotoxic, with bites potentially being fatal without medical intervention.

NSW police noted that Sjoberg was familiar with the Kiandra region and the surrounding national parks. The search operation was extensive, involving personnel from the Monaro police district, the mounted and dog units, the State Emergency Service (SES), the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Rural Fire Service, and even a Surf Life Saving helicopter, along with valuable assistance from local residents.

NSW police extended their gratitude to everyone involved in the multi-agency search effort, highlighting the collaborative nature of the operation.