Human remains found after girl went missing in suspected crocodile attack at Mango Creek, NT

Police have found human remains believed to be that of missing 12-year-old girl who vanished in a suspected crocodile attack while swimming in a creek in the NT.

The child was last seen swimming at Mango Creek, near the remote community of Palumpa, about 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Initial reports said the child had been attacked by a crocodile.

An extensive search effort involving a helicopter, locals and police soon turned into a recovery mission.

Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson on Thursday confirmed police had found remains, believed to be the girl, near Palumpa.

“This is devastating news for the family, the community and everyone involved in the search,” Gibson said.

“Police are providing support to the family and community, along with the first responders who attended the scene.”

Gibson earlier said the child and her family were in the area as part of a bush holiday.

“They had attended the area, as they do for their holidays on homelands,” she told ABC Radio Darwin on Wednesday.

“The children and other people from the family group were swimming, and it was reported the child was missing.

“It is just a really sad, tragic event ... it is confronting for everyone.”

A black crocodile sighting was reported in the area, Gibson said.

NT Police Minister Brent Potter earlier said the search and rescue team had been authorised to “remove the crocodile from the area”.

Palumpa is located in the Daly River region and has a history of crocodile-related incidents.

In 2017, a 54-year-old man was attacked by a 2m crocodile, suffering bites to his chest and arm.

Four years before that incident, a 4.5m crocodile that had been causing problems within the community was shot dead.

The saltwater croc had reportedly been preventing children from going to school by blocking a local causeway.