Police believe they have discovered the ‘gruesome’ remains of a 12-year-old girl killed in the first fatal crocodile attack to rock the Northern Territory in six years.
The young girl was last seen swimming at Mango Creek, in the remote community of Nganmarriyanga, 360km south-west of Darwin, at about 5.30pm on Tuesday.
Northern Territory Police Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson on Thursday confirmed the 12-year-old’s remains had been recovered after a 36-hour search.
‘This morning, as a result of searching intensively overnight, the remains of the missing child were located in the riverway,’ she told a press conference.
‘It was particularly gruesome and a sad, devastating outcome. It was extremely difficult for the first responders involved in the search.
‘As awful as the outcome is, it’s been an incredible effort from the people involved. I certainly would commend the actions of everyone involved.
‘They were diligent and work relentlessly. However, for the family, it’s the most devastating outcome possible for them.’
‘They are in a state of extreme shock and disbelief. It’s not the outcome we were hoping for, but for the family at least there is some small element of closure.’
Police believe they have found the remains of a missing 12-year-old girl who vanished after a suspected crocodile attack in the Northern Territory (stock image)
The young girl was last seen swimming at Mango Creek, in the remote Northern Territory community of Nganmarriyanga, 360km south-west of Darwin (a map is pictured)
Sgt Gibson said it came as a ‘salient reminder’ of the risks of waterways in the NT.
‘Waterways in the Northern Territory could always have crocodiles in them and it’s that element of caution and being crocwise to ensure your own safety,’ she said.
The community hasn’t been rocked by a crocodile attack since 2018 when a Yirralka ranger was killed while in Gangan community.
Almost a decade earlier, a 11-year-old girl is believed to have been attacked by a crocodile in rural Darwin in 2009 – with her remains found after a 12-hour search.
NT Police, along with the search and rescue team, will continue to work with local rangers in monitoring crocodile traps along the waterways.
Sgt Gibson earlier said there was evidence that crocodiles had been in the area.
‘No crocodiles were sighted or located in the immediate area that croc-searching has occurred since sunset yesterday – there were no sightings overnight,’ she said.
Police Minister Brent Potter has confirmed search efforts had shifted to a recovery operation
Police Minister Brent Potter on Wednesday confirmed that search efforts had shifted to a recovery mission after over 18 hours of searching.
‘They do an amazing piece of work, those officers are also divers and they do go into croc-infested waters as required,’ Mr Potter said.
Nganmarriyanga, formerly known as Palumpa, is a remote Aboriginal community in the Daly River region of the Northern Territory.
It is situated about 360km south-west of Darwin between the communities of Peppimenarti and Wadeye.
