The search for a missing 12-year-old girl who may have been attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a creek has shifted from a search to a rescue phase.
The young girl was last seen swimming in Mango Creek, in the remote Northern Territory community Nganmarriyanga, 360km southwest of Darwin, was reported missing at 5.30pm on Tuesday.
“According to initial reports, the child was attacked by a crocodile,” a police statement said.
‘Community members and Peppimenarti police arrived on the scene and began a search for the child, who has still not been found.’
Local police and officers from the nearby community of Wadeye were on the scene on Wednesday.
The search and rescue team was still looking for the girl, more than 18 hours after she was reported missing.
Police Minister Brent Potter confirmed on Wednesday that the search has moved into the recovery phase.
Mr Potter added that the team also had permission to ‘remove the crocodile from the area’ so that the search could continue safely.
Police have launched an urgent search on land and in the water after a 12-year-old child was reportedly attacked by a crocodile
The child was last seen swimming in a creek in the remote Northern Territory community of Nganmarriyanga, formerly Palumpa, about 360km southwest of Darwin
Police have launched an urgent search on land and in the water for the child. (Pictured: Police at the Moyle River crossing between Peppimenarti and Palumpa)
“They do a fantastic job, those officers are also divers and they go into crocodile infested waters if necessary,” Mr Potter said. News from the Northern Territory.
“We can safely say that we are in the recovery phase.”
Peppimenarti police, along with community members, are investigating the incident, but the child has not yet been found.
“Our thoughts are with the family and the community,” said Erica Gibson, Senior Constable of the Northern Territory Police.
‘Officers are currently searching a large section of the creek by boat and we thank the community for their continued assistance.’
Nganmarriyanga, formerly known as Palumpa, is a remote Aboriginal community in the Daly River region of the Northern Territory.
It is located approximately 360 km south-west of Darwin, between the communities of Peppimenarti and Wadeye.
This is a breaking story. More to come.
