Central Land Council pays tribute to member who drowned near Tennant Creek

‘A strong spokesperson for his community’: The Central Land Council has paid tribute to a prominent delegate in the Tennant Creek region who passed away in a tragic drowning incident.

UPDATE MON 1PM: THE Central Land Council (CLC) has paid tribute to B. Crafter, a prominent delegate in the Tennant Creek region who passed away in a tragic drowning incident.

Mr Crafter’s body was located on Monday morning after the 50-year-old disappeared while swimming near Seven Mile bridge north of Tennant Creek the previous afternoon.

“The members and staff of the Central Land Council are deeply saddened by news of the passing of longstanding CLC delegate Mr B. Crafter,” CLC chair Sammy Wilson said.

“Mr Crafter represented the Tennant Creek native title holders on the 90-member council. He was a former CLC ranger who has been involved in many community projects, site clearances and mining planning for the Barkly region.

“He was a strong spokesperson for his community who loved to care for his country. Our hearts and condolences go out to his family and many friends at this very sad time, and to the CLC staff who helped with the search for Mr Crafter.

“He will be missed by all.”

UPDATE MON 11AM: A BODY has been found downstream from where a 50-year-old man disappeared while swimming in floodwaters.

NT Police confirmed the man’s body was located by police and emergency service members in Tennant Creek on Monday morning.

On Sunday witnesses told police that the man was swimming in floodwaters at the Seven Mile Bridge north of Tennant Creek when he was swept away around 3:45pm.

Police and Emergency Service workers searched the area on foot and where accessible used motorbikes up until last light.

The search was renewed on Monday morning, when the 50-year-old man’s body was found some distance down the river.

Police investigations are ongoing.

INITIAL MON, 7AM: INVESTIGATORS hold grave concerns for a man who went missing while swimming in floodwaters at Tennant Creek.

NT Police, Fire and Rescue Service and Emergency Service are looking for a man who is feared to have drowned near Seven Mile bridge north of Tennant Creek on Sunday afternoon.

A 50-year-old man was reportedly swimming in floodwater when he failed to resurface, around 3.45pm.

Watch Commander Andrew Heath said the Northern Territory was currently experiencing widespread heavy rainfall.

“Incidents like these are a reminder to everyone to avoid flooded waterways,” Mr Heath said.

“Flash flooding creates fast flows and brings significant debris which adds further risk to anyone trying to swim or cross waterways or flooded roads.”

On Monday morning Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said the search would begin again today, with the investigation hampered by dark and rainy conditions overnight.

Mr Milner said ongoing rains had caused the water level to rise, and emergency services were hoping conditions would ease.

He said two crime scenes had been established.

Originally published as Central Land Council pays tribute to member who drowned near Tennant Creek