Remains believed to be of a missing 12-year-old child which was attacked by a crocodile in Northern Territory were found by Australian police on Thursday. The child disappeared last Tuesday while swimming in Mango Creek near Palumpa, an isolated community about seven hours’ drive from Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory.
The initial reports stated that the child had been attacked by a crocodile, said Northern Territory Police. After an extensive search of creek, the remains were found. The community’s sorrow was expressed by Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson who said; “This is devastating news for the family, the community and everyone involved in the search.”
It happened when the family and their child visited the creek for holidays. According to police statements to ABC Radio, there were witnesses who saw a black crocodile in that area.
Although they are uncommon in this part of Australia where there are over 1m plus crocodiles, crocodile attacks do occur sometimes. The longest length attained by any crocodile in this part of Australia is approximately 6 metres (20 ft). A 4.5-meter (15-foot) long one was shot after it followed people around close to Palumpa in 2013.
The Northern Territory Police have extended their condolences to those affected as well as emphasizing on how rare yet how serious these incidents can become.
In related incidents during that year Narriearra man escaped with his life after being attacked by a non-fatal crocodile at that spot. Just some few months ago another reptile was shot dead and served as dinner after causing trouble for another northern territory village.
