The search for a missing 12-year-old girl who might have been attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a creek has shifted from the search to recovery stage.
The young girl was last seen swimming at Mango Creek, in the remote Northern Territory community of Nganmarriyanga, 360km south-west of Darwin, and was reported missing at 5.30pm on Tuesday.
‘Initial reports stated the child had been attacked by a crocodile,’ a police statement said.
‘Community members and Peppimenarti Police attended the scene and began searching for the child, who has yet to be located.’
Local police along with officers from the nearby community of Wadeye were at 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 the search had shifted to the recovery stage.
Mr Potter added the team was also authorised to ‘remove the crocodile from the area’ to safely continue the search.
Police have launched an urgent land and water search 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 south-west of Darwin
Police have launched an urgent land and water search for the child. (Pictured, police at Moyle River crossing between Peppimenarti and Palumpa)
‘They do an amazing piece of work, those officers are also divers and they do go into croc-infested waters as required,’ Mr Potter told Northern Territory News.
‘It’s probably safe to say we’re in the recovery stage.’
Peppimenarti Police along with the help of community members are investigating the incident and have yet to find the child.
‘Our thoughts are with the family and the community,’ Northern Territory Police Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said.
‘Officers are currently searching a large section of the creek via boat and we thank the community for their ongoing assistance.’
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.
This is a breaking story. More to come