Police investigate cause of Arnhem Hwy crash that claimed the life of 8yo boy

NT Police are investigating the cause of an Arnhem Hwy crash that claimed the life of an 8yo boy, with drugs and feral pigs possible factors. Read the details.

An 8yo boy died in the Arnhem Highway crash. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

An eight-year-old boy has died in a fatal single-vehicle crash on the Arnhem Highway on Sunday night.

The boy was travelling with family members when police believe their Toyota Prado struck a feral pig and rolled about 11km from the Bark Hut Inn.

Detective Sergeant Richard Musgrave from the Major Crash Investigations Unit said NT Police were first alerted to the crash about 9pm.

“There were three occupants in the vehicle,” Sergeant Musgrave said.

“The driver was a 32-year-old male, the (front) passenger was a 14-year-old female, and the rear passenger was an eight-year-old male.

“As a result of the crash, the eight-year-old male has been ejected from the vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Richard Musgrave from the Major Crash Investigations Unit announces details about the death of an 8yo boy in a crash on the Arnhem Highway in July, 2025. Picture: Stephanie Hanlon

“He was given treatment at the time on the side of the road, but unfortunately, by the time police and emergency services had arrived, he was declared deceased.

“The two surviving passengers in the vehicle have been transferred to the Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment, where they remain, there for further treatment.

“They are in a stable and non critical condition.”

Sergeant Musgrave said the three occupants were all family members from the NT; the father of the boy was driving, while the girl was his niece.

Major Crash is still investigating the circumstances of the crash, but believe drugs “may have (been) involved”, as well as a feral pig.

“So our understanding and evidence at the scene suggest there was a pig on the highway,” Sergeant Musgrave said.

“The pig was feeding on a carcass of another animal.

“The driver observed the pig in the road, and at the time, he chose not to swerve for the pig.

“He connected with the pig and lost control of the vehicle.

“It’s still the early stages of the investigation, so I can’t speak entirely of the whole investigation.

“But at this stage, we believe that we may have drugs involved.”

Sergeant Musgrave said police believe the boy was wearing his seatbelt at the time.

This latest fatality brings the total lives lost on Territory roads to 22 in comparison to 30 at the same time last year. 

Last year’s grim statistics revealed a worrying trend in lives lost, with regional and rural roads claiming nearly two-thirds of fatalities in 2024.

Sergeant Musgrave urged all motorists to take care while driving on rural roads.

“Obviously this draws attention to how we drive on our highways and the dangers that driving remote poses for members of the public,” he said.

“If you’re driving at night, be aware of your conditions.

“Be patient around other drivers at this time of the year — we’ve got a lot of visitors out of interstate, lots of caravans on the road.

“I just urge members of the public to drive safely.”

Originally published as Police investigate cause of Arnhem Hwy crash that claimed the life of 8yo boy