Tromp children want life normal again after family's bizarre off-grid disappearance
The children of a Victorian couple, who disappeared in a bizarre off-grid family trip five days ago, said they can't wait for life to go back to normal.
Mark Tromp, 51, and Jacoba Tromp, 53, fled with their three children, Ella, Mitchell and Riana, to New South Wales after they reportedly became overwhelmed by paranoia and fear.
The family split up and over the past five days, one-by-one each member has managed to be re-appear alive, “safe and well”.
Ella and Mitchell Tromp (pictured) both said they can't wait for life to go back to normal. Photo: Sky News
Mitchell said he felt responsible to flee with the rest of his family and felt he should have stayed with them longer.
"I didn't feel in danger. But I had to go with the family because I wanted to see where they were going," he told Sky News.
The young man added that the situation "is hard to explain" and "very confusing".
Ella admitted she is confused about the strange events that played out and claimed she returned to the family's berry farm to feed her horses.
"More than anything we're just happy that Dad is alive and he's going to come back home, all of the family is going to come back home, and we can get back to normal," the 22-year-old said.
Ella also said she hoped her sister, Riana would be released from mental health care soon.
The "panicked" road trip is now subject to a police investigation.
Mark Tromp gave media the finger as he was driven out of a police station with a family member on Saturday. Photo: 7 News.
The father, Mr Tromp was the last of the family to be found and he was discovered on the outskirts of Wangaratta on Saturday, about 5.50pm.
He was taken to Wangaratta Police Station and is expected to undergo a mental health assessment.
On Saturday night Mr Tromp was seen giving media the finger as he left the station with a family member.
Mitchell also told the Herald Sun that he was “jumping for joy” knowing his father had been found.
“It’s going to be the best Father’s Day of my life," he said.
Bizarre search for Tromp family members
Authorities had been searching for him since Tuesday, after the Tromp family was reported missing and police found their Silvan home unlocked and abandoned.
Mark and Jacoba Tromp left their home near Melbourne for Jenolan Caves in NSW on Monday. Photo: Supplied
Mr Tromp and his wife Jacoba drove off to NSW with their three adult children, Riana, Mitchell and Ella, on Monday, leaving passports, credit cards and many of their mobile phones behind.
By Tuesday morning, Mitchell left the group near Bathurst and made his way to Melbourne via Sydney.
Then Riana and Ella left their parents at Jenolan caves and headed to Goulburn.
There, the two daughters split up; Riana was found "catatonic" hiding in the back of a local man's ute and Ella drove herself back to Melbourne.
Mitchell and Ella Tromp. Photo: Facebook.
Jacoba was found on Thursday in Yass Hospital and has since been transferred to Goulburn Hospital where Riana is also being treated.
Police say both women are in a fragile mental state.
Mitchell told media on Thursday everyday pressures had got to the family and they just wanted to escape.
Readers seeking support and information about mental health issues can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
Raina Tromp was found in the back of a stranger's ute. Photo: Supplied.