Source : Perth Now news
The body of a 60-year-old man who was washed away in outback floodwaters has been recovered by police after days of searching.
On Wednesady evening, a vehicle carrying a man and a woman was swept away by floodwaters while trying to cross a Philipson Bore Road causeway, near Santa Teresa in the Northern Territory.
The man and woman were initially able to clamber out of the vehicle and climb onto its roof for safety, but a second surge swept the man away.
Frantic searches continued throughout the week, using helicopters and drones.
However, NT police have now confirmed the search has reached a tragic conclusion.
“The man was found at 1.40pm about 10km away from where he was last seen on Philipson Bore Road on Wednesday evening, when he was washed off the roof of a vehicle by floodwaters,” an NT Police spokesman said in a statement.
“Police, supported by the Police Air Wing and National Territory emergency service volunteers had been conducting an extensive search and rescue operation in the area since the man was reported missing on Thursday morning.
“The search continued near Santa Teresa with crews covering difficult terrain in an effort to locate him.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
Police said evidence would be gathered and a report made to the state’s coroner.
