‘Beautiful angel’ remembered after croc attack
The family of a 12-year-old girl who is believed to have died after being attacked by a crocodile are being supported by the community and police.
Northern Territory Police confirmed on Thursday they had found remains near Palumpa believed to be that of a missing 12-year-old child.
The child was reportedly attacked by a crocodile in Mango Creek on Tuesday.
She was last seen swimming with family members at Mango Creek near the remote Aboriginal community of Nganmarriyanga – also known as Palumpa – 350km southwest of Darwin.
Following the tragic news, one of the girl’s extended family members has shared her grief after hearing the news the young child’s body had been found.
“My condolences to all my family’s in Palumpa words can’t express the lost and pain we feel,” Jade Walker wrote on social media.
“Such a tragic (event). May the lord be and bless all of you at this very sad time God gained another beautiful angel/soul.
“Thinking of you my big bro and sister in law, mum, Amy and the rest of the families. Wish we were back home with all my mother’s side families.”
An extensive search effort had been carried out in an effort to locate the child from when she was reported missing.
Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said support was now being offered to those who knew the girl and her family.
“This is devastating news for the family, the community and everyone involved in the search,” she said.
“Police are providing support to the family and community, along with the first responders who attended the scene.”
Before her remains were found, police said the girl’s shirt had been discovered upstream of where she disappeared.
The waterways in the region are home to both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.
The saltwater crocodile is highly dangerous to humans and can grow up to 6m in length.
Freshwater crocodiles have been known to attack people in self-defence.
