My backpacker daughter 'is amazing'

Liz (left) and Holly Saunders are flying to Australia

The mother of a Worcestershire teenager who went missing on an Australian mountain has told of her joy at her daughter's rescue.

Liz Saunders, from Kidderminster, had last seen her daughter, Louise, on 25 June before she flew to Australia with friends.

On Tuesday, the 19-year-old went missing while climbing Mount Tyson, near the Queensland town of Tully.

She was eventually found on Friday after making her way through dense forest to safety.

I was just frightened to death to speak to the police, but desperate at the same time

Liz Saunders

Speaking in Kidderminster, Mrs Saunders said she had nothing but admiration for the way Louise had handled her ordeal.

She said: "I think Louise is amazing. I'm just so proud of her.

"A grown man would have been terrified by what she's gone through, let alone a 19-year-old girl.

"I just don't know how she's done it, but she is very strong."

'Fantastic news'

Earlier Queensland Police had praised Louise for following the route of a stream as she made her way through the rainforest which covers the mountain.

The teenager, who suffered minor cuts and bruises, said she had hardly slept and survived on chewing gum and water from the stream.

Louise Saunders was missing for four days

The Saunders family received news of Louise's safe arrival back in Tully via a phone call.

Liz Saunders said: "Sergeant Mike Bailey rang and I was just frightened to death to speak to him, but desperate at the same time.

"He said: 'I've got fantastic news for you; I've got her', and we just screamed.

"I managed to have a quick word with her and she was very quiet.

"I told her we were thinking about her and can't wait to see her."

Mrs Saunders, along with her son James, 20, and 15-year-old daughter Holly, is arranging to fly out to Australia to be with Louise.