Police Commissioner’s concerns after crash near Kalkarindji kills eight-year-old child

The NT Police Commissioner has voiced his road toll concerns after an eight-year-old child was killed in a ‘complex crash’ near a remote town.

NT Police set up crime scenes after fatal crash.

The NT Police Commissioner is “greatly” concerned by the Territory’s road toll after an eight-year-old child died in a “complex crash” on Sunday.

The child was one of 11 people travelling between Kalkarindji and Lajamanu in a single vehicle when the Toyota Prado they had piled into crashed about 11am Sunday.

Commissioner Michael Murphy said the crash was “terribly sad”.

It was the 31st death on Territory roads this year, matching 2023’s road toll with almost six months left of the year.

“The amount of people dying on our roads and the lives lost – it’s not just the 31, it’s the families and communities that are impacted,” Commissioner Murphy said.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do on the roads.”

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Commissioner Murphy said reducing the road toll was about education and “influencing young drivers”.

“We’ve got generational change where everyone thinks it’s okay to be on the phone and texting – distraction is a killer,” he said.

“We’re seeing a prevalence of drug-driving as well.

“Whether it’s powders or cannabis, it still impairs driving.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Musgrave on Monday morning said the driver involved in Sunday’s crash was a 29-year-old woman who was forced to drive the car back towards Kalkarindji to get help after the incident.

Sergeant Musgrave said CareFlight met the Prado and its occupants at the remote town, where the child was declared deceased.

He said the car’s remaining 10 occupants had non-life-threatening injuries.

“Communication from the scene was limited due to the remote location of the crash and Major Crash Investigators are currently on site at both scenes,” Sergeant Musgrave said.

“This is a complex crash involving alcohol and a large number of unrestrained passengers that has tragically resulted in the death of a young child.

“Local police are providing support to the families and local communities effected and urge anyone with information to contact 131 444 or to visit your local station.”

Sergeant Musgrave said a crime scene was established at the crash site as well as the vehicle’s final stopping point.

Child, 8, killed in ‘complex crash’ on remote road

July 8, 9.50am: An eight-year-old child has died in a “complex crash” on a remote NT road, bringing the Territory’s road toll to 31 – concerningly equalling the road toll for 2023.

Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Musgrave said the child had been one of 11 people piled into a Toyota Prado travelling between Kalkarindji and Lajamanu about 11am Sunday.

Sergeant Musgrave said the car crashed on Mardiardu Rd but was driven back into Kalkarindji where CareFlight teams met the group.

He said the child was declared dead a short time later and the remaining occupants – including the 29-year-old female driver – suffered non-life threatening injuries.

“Communication from the scene was limited due to the remote location of the crash and Major Crash Investigators are currently on site at both scenes,” Sergeant Musgrave said.

“This is a complex crash involving alcohol and a large number of unrestrained passengers that has tragically resulted in the death of a young child.

“Local police are providing support to the families and local communities effected and urge anyone with information to contact 131 444 or to visit your local station.”

Sergeant Musgrave said a crime scene was established at the crash site as well as the vehicle’s final stopping point.

Originally published as Police Commissioner’s concerns after crash near Kalkarindji kills eight-year-old child