The child was last observed swimming in Mango Creek, near the remote community of Palumpa, approximately seven hours' drive southwest of Darwin. She was reported missing around 5.30pm local time on Tuesday after swimming in the creek. Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson of the Northern Territory Police confirmed the child had suffered injuries from a crocodile attack.
According to NT News, the girl was on vacation with her family when they visited Mango Creek, located in Nganmarriyanga, an Aboriginal community within the Daly River region. Police informed ABC Radio that a black crocodile was spotted in the vicinity.
Senior Sergeant Gibson expressed deep sadness for the family, the community, and all involved in the search, stating in a noon Thursday statement that the recovery had been "particularly gruesome" and a tragic outcome. She described the past 36 hours as incredibly challenging for the family and first responders, who were receiving support from law enforcement.
The incident serves as a stark reminder, Senior Sergeant Gibson emphasized, that waterways in the Northern Territory are habitats where crocodiles may be present. She led the search efforts, which included the use of a boat and helicopter to scour the area, with ongoing plans to capture the crocodile.
Local residents and police from Wadeye joined in the search on Wednesday, combing the creek's banks and surrounding areas. Senior Sergeant Gibson noted that the community was deeply distressed by the incident, with "croc-searching" operations starting at sunset on Wednesday, although no sightings were reported overnight.
Saltwater crocodiles, known to be territorial, likely remain in nearby waterways. The Northern Territory is home to over 100,000 crocodiles, with a land area more than six times that of Britain. Fatal attacks, while rare, underscore the potential danger these animals pose; they can grow up to six meters (20 feet) in length.
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