Paramedics calm driver after Bagot Road bingle

Police are investigating how a two-car collision occurred in busy peak-hour traffic.

Welcome to the NT News’ weekly Top End rolling police, crime, traffic, fire and breaking news blog. Keep up with the latest in the Top End – from Katherine to Darwin, West Daly, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands.

January 8, 5pm: Outbound traffic into Darwin’s northern suburbs crawled to a near standstill after a two vehicle collision out the front of Bagot Road McDonald’s.

Police, paramedics and fire crews attended the scene following the crash around 4.45pm Wednesday.

A witness said the incident occurred when a vehicle verged onto the wrong side of the road in front of the Maccas.

Nobody appeared to have been seriously hurt in the incident but an off-duty paramedic was seen calming the driver of one of the vehicles as emergency services arrived.

Anybody with dashcam vision or information can contact police on 131444.

‘Natural causes’ behind death at Top End service station: Police

January 8, 7am: A man has died of “natural causes” at a Top End servo, police say.

Northern watch commander Scott Lewis said the man collapsed at Palmerston Puma on Tuesday afternoon at about 3pm.

Mr Lewis said it was the result of a “medical episode” and that paramedics had attended the scene.

Online on Tuesday afternoon, initial reports claimed police had set up a “crime scene”.

Mr Lewis said the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Alcohol seized by NT Police in East Arnhem Land

January 7, 4.30pm: A “significant quantity” of alcohol bound for a remote community has been seized by NT Police.

NT Police claim the alcohol — which was seized about 2pm on Monday afternoon — was bound for the community of Gapuwiyak.

The haul includes a mix of rum, beers, mixers and two other unidentified bottles of spirits, and was seized on the Central Arnhem Highway during a routine traffic stop, according to NT Police.

Alcohol seized bound for Gapuwiyak January 6, 2025. Picture: NT Police

Police linked the alcohol bust to the Territory’s growing domestic violence problem.

“Alcohol related domestic violence is a complex and critical issue where the presence of alcohol can amplify the frequency and severity of abuse,” Sergeant Joanne Muchow said.

“We will continue to take strong action to deter illegal activity and support local efforts for a safer, healthier environment.”

Katherine OTR broken into, staffer hit with glass bottles

Update, January 6, 11.30am: NT Police have released a statement about the robbery at OTR on Monday morning.

They confirmed police received reports about 4.15am on Monday that three men had entered the service station and allegedly thrown rocks and store items at an employee, striking her in the arm.

One of the men is also alleged to have jumped over the counter and stolen cigarettes before the group fled the scene on foot.

The store’s security guard and employee were able to get to safety.

The woman had minor injuries and did not require medical treatment, according to police.

This latest service station attack follows a shocking week in which five unrelated Top End service stations were targeted over four days.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Quote reference number P25005653.

Initial: January 6, 6am: A break-in at a Top End servo has left a female attendant looking to throw in the towel, as she was allegedly hit with glass bottles.

This masthead understands OTR service station, corner of Stuart Hwy and Bicentennial Rd, in Katherine was broken into about 4.30am Monday.

OTR service station in Katherine was broken into about 4.30am Monday morning, January 6, 2024. Picture: Supplied

A door was forced inward to gain entry, and a female employee was hit with glass bottles, a source told this masthead.

The source said the employee suffered a “small laceration” to her left arm.

In the wake of the incident, she called her boss and said “she’s had enough,” the source said.

Northern Territory police confirmed they were attending the scene.

More to come.

Originally published as Paramedics calm driver after Bagot Road bingle