A former University of Liverpool student who was left stranded in the Australian outback has thanked the stranger who helped her.

Backpacker Emma Collishaw, from Lincolnshire, blew her back tyre while driving on her own between the Australian cities of Darwin and Townsville on Monday.

The 23-year-old, who studied Psychology in Liverpool, was stuck in 40C heat and nearly 200 miles from the nearest petrol station.

Currently working out in Queensland after completing her degree, Ms Collishaw revealed the "horror story" in a Facebook post which has since received over 2,000 reactions and almost 1,000 shares.

It has already attracted national attention in Australia, appearing on Seven News and on various sites.

With no phone signal and little sign of rescue, the stranded Brit had attempted to change the deflated tyre herself - only to discover the wheel nuts were too tight.

The stranded Brit tried changing the tyre herself, only to find the wheel nuts were too tight

In the now-viral social media post, she explained: "I then decided to flag people down if someone drove past."

Fortunately truck diver Jason Freyling soon pulled over to help and changed her tyre while supplying cold drinks to the stranded backpacker.

Ms Collishaw said there were "no words for how grateful and lucky I am," particularly as the Aussie also offered to pay for additional new tyres.

Continuing his generous act, Mr Freyling then provided dinner and paid for the young Brit to stay in a motel for the night.

And Ms Collishaw's luck didn't end there, as she later discovered that the kind stranger had contacted petrol stations along the rest of her route and told them he would pay for her petrol so she can get to her destination.

Speaking to North Wales Live, she explained: "It's your worst nightmare breaking down in the middle of nowhere, especially the Australian outback which is very different from anywhere in the UK!"

The young Brit explained that you can be "fully prepared for these situations" but it can "still be a little daunting when you are on your own."

Generous trucker Jason Freyling changed the Brit's tyre, as well as providing food, a motel and additional petrol funds

"Thankfully there are still amazing people in the world like Jason Freyling who not only changed my tyre, but further purchased me new tyres, food, accommodation and addition fuel before heading on his way."

Ms Collishaw added that "none of this was expected of him" and he "wouldn't take no for an answer - or even take a carton of beer to say thanks."

"I hope this makes people realise there are still great people out there," she added.