NT Police suspect ‘natural causes’ behind 64-year-old man’s death on South Alligator River

Police have revealed the suspected cause of a 64-year-old man’s death after his tinnie was found abandoned in a Top End river.

South Alligator River boat ramp. Picture: Google Maps

UPDATE, April 9: An empty tinnie on a crocodile-filled river was the early sign of tragedy for the loved ones of a “good and decent” 64-year-old angler.

While still awaiting the official cause of death, investigators suspect the 64-year-old man suffered a medical incident while out on the water.

A search and rescue operation began after an abandoned vessel was spotted near a popular boat ramp on the South Alligator River on April 3.

The river in Kakadu National Park is a popular fishing spot, despite the park being home to an estimated 10,000 crocodiles, 10 per cent of all the crocs in the Northern Territory.

After a 15-hour search involving other boats and helicopter aerial searches, the body of a 64-year-old man was recovered.

On Monday Greater Darwin Assistant Commissioner Matthew Hollamby said investigators suspected he suffered a fatal medical incident, although they were still awaiting an official cause of death.

“But there’s no obvious cause of death, which could mean it was natural causes,” he said.

Loved ones have described the 64-year-old as a “good and decent man”, and thanked emergency services and recovery teams for their efforts to locate him.

INITIAL, April 4: A 64-year-old man’s body has been found in the South Alligator River.

NT Police Superintendent Jakson Evans said the search was prompted when an abandoned tinny was found floating near the popular boat ramp on Wednesday evening.

Superintendent Evans said the NT Police Search and Rescue team – alongside the Kakadu National Park rangers – combed the river for signs of the boat’s owner throughout the night and well into Thursday morning.

He said a helicopter and other vessels were used, and multiple crocs were spotted in the area.

Superintendent Evans said the man’s body was found at midday Thursday.

“This is a tragic outcome, and our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time,” he said.

Superintendent Evans said the cause of death was yet to be determined and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

The boat ramp was closed throughout the search but is now open and accessible to the public.