Man swept away by remote NT floodwater found dead after three-day search

A 60-year-old man tragically lost his life after being swept away by floodwaters in Central Australia, according to Northern Territory Police. The man's body was discovered on Saturday, approximately 10 kilometers from where he was initially swept off the roof of his vehicle on Phillipson Bore Road near Santa Teresa, a remote Aboriginal community south of Alice Springs.

On Wednesday, police revealed that the man was with a woman at the time; their vehicle became stuck in a creek, prompting them to take refuge on the car's roof. The woman managed to walk to Santa Teresa and alerted the police, leading to the commencement of a three-day search and rescue operation. The search involved support from the Northern Territory Emergency Service volunteers and the Police Air Wing, navigating challenging terrain in the pursuit of locating the man.

Police issued a statement expressing their condolences to the man's family and friends during this challenging period. This incident occurred following a series of heavy downpours and thunderstorms across Central Australia, resulting in widespread flooding, including at Uluru, where local creeks experienced rapid rises. Police stated that a report on the man's death will be prepared for the coroner.