Search Concludes After Man Found Deceased in Central Australia Floodwaters

Incident Summary

Northern Territory Police have confirmed that a 60-year-old man was found deceased following a multi-day search and rescue operation in Central Australia. The discovery ends a search that began after the man was swept away by floodwaters earlier in the week.

Search and Rescue Operations

According to police reports, the man was traveling with a woman on Phillipson Bore Road near the remote community of Santa Teresa, located approximately 80 kilometres south of Alice Springs. When their vehicle became stranded in a creek, the pair sought refuge on the roof of the car.

Reports indicate that the man was swept away by moving water, while the woman was able to walk to the Santa Teresa community to raise the alarm. The search operation, which lasted three days, involved:

• Northern Territory Emergency Service volunteers
• The Northern Territory Police Air Wing
• Ground crews traversing difficult terrain

Search teams located the man’s body on Saturday afternoon, approximately 10 kilometres from the site where he was initially separated from the vehicle.

Environmental Context

The incident follows a period of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms that impacted much of Central Australia, resulting in rising local creeks and flooding, including reports of high water levels near Uluru.

Next Steps

Northern Territory Police have stated that they are preparing a report for the coroner regarding the fatality. Members of the public are advised that information regarding current weather conditions and road closures in the Northern Territory can be verified through official government channels, such as the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) website or local media alerts.