Search for missing boy in the NT Outback ends in tragedy with police locating 12-year-old’s body near where a family of three was found dead

UPDATE: The search for a missing boy in the NT Outback has ended in tragedy with police locating the 12-year-old’s body following an extensive land and air search

Police are investigating if the deaths of three people about 60km from Willowra may have been the result of a single-vehicle car crash

UPDATE: The search for a missing boy in the Willowra area has ended in tragedy.

NT Police located the body of a child on Thursday afternoon following an extensive land and air search of the surrounding area where a family of three was found dead on Jarra Jarra Rd on Wednesday.

The child’s body was found about 120 metres from the three bodies of the family members.

Police on Wednesday found the bodies of a man and woman, both 19, and their 3-year-old son about 4.5km from their broken-down vehicle, which was located about 300km north of Alice Springs.

A formal identification of the body found Thursday is yet to be undertaken so police are unable to confirm if it is the body of the 12-year-old boy believed to be a passenger in the vehicle and reported missing late Wednesday night.

Southern Desert Division Superintendent Jody Nobbs said police are yet to rule out that there may have been more passengers in the vehicle.

“Although police have no information that suggests there were other passengers in the car, we will continue a precautionary land and air search until we are satisfied that all areas of interest have been sufficiently canvassed,” he said.

Northern Territory Police have located the body of a child following an extensive land and air search in the Willowra district today https://t.co/g6XhGnXp56

— NT PFES (@ntpfes) November 8, 2018

EARLIER: Police and community members are desperately searching for a 12-year-old boy who is believed to be missing in remote Central Australia following the tragic death of a young family he was travelling with on an access road near Willowra.

Police on Wednesday found the bodies of a man and woman, both 19, and their 3-year-old son about 4.5km from their broken-down vehicle, which was located about 300km north of Alice Springs.

Remnants of water and food were found at the scene.

Family members informed police on Wednesday night that a 12-year-old boy had also been travelling with the young family when they departed from Willowra on Monday, November 5.

The vehicle and its occupants, destined for nearby Yarra Yarra, were not seen again until Wednesday afternoon.

Superintendent Jody Nobbs said police held grave concerns for the welfare of the child and they had launched a land and air search on Wednesday morning.

“The whereabouts of this boy are not known at this time,” Supt Nobbs said.

“The family at this time have indicated they’re not willing to release the name of this 12-year-old boy although they have indicated that the identity of the boy is known to the Willowra, Ti Tree and Ali Carung communities and those community members are actively looking for the 12-year-old boy.

“Notwithstanding that, police still appeal to members of those communities, should you know the whereabouts of that boy to immediately report it to police as at this point in time we are holding grave concerns for the child.”

Police initially responded to a report of a fatal motor vehicle crash before realising on arrival that it was a non-fatal, broken-down vehicle situation.

Supt Nobbs said the “distraught” man who initially raised the alarm at Willowra Health Clinic would be a critical part of the police investigation.

He said the tragic incident was a sad reminder to take precautions when travelling on remote Territory roads.

“This does serve, unfortunately, as a timely reminder for anyone travelling on NT roads to ensure that when you travel your vehicle is in a fit state, that you have sufficient supplies including water and a first aid kit, and that someone is aware of what your travel itinerary is — when you intend to leave, arrive and your anticipated routes,” he said.

Police do not believe the family’s deaths were suspicious but investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information about the boy’s whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444.

Northern Territory Police and Emergency Services will begin land and air searches of the Willowra district for a 12-year-old boy after three people were found dead near their broken down vehicle yesterday. https://t.co/Wpz3fVz7mg

— NT PFES (@ntpfes) November 8, 2018

EARLIER: Police have located the bodies of a young child and two adults on a remote road about 300km northwest of Alice Springs.

NT Duty Superintendent Sean Gill said police attended the scene and located three people, who are believed to be locals, deceased on Jarra Jarra Access Rd, 62km away from Willowra.

He said further police inquiries revealed that the deaths had not been caused by a motor vehicle crash as initially reported.

“One of the avenues of inquiry that we’re looking at is if people walked away from a broken down vehicle and may have suffered as result of that,” Duty Supt Gill said.

“Investigations are continuing but we don’t believe it’s suspicious and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.”

Police were alerted to the deaths after a person advised members of the Willowra clinic just before 12.30pm on Wednesday.

He said they believe the trio could have potentially died a couple of days ago.

EARLIER: Northern Territory Police are investigating if the deaths of three people may have been the result of a single-vehicle car crash.

The deaths are being treated as non-suspicious.

Investigators are travelling to the scene, about 300km northwest of Alice Springs and about 60km from Willowra.

Police were alerted to the incident after a person walked into the Willowra clinic and raised the alarm just before 12:30pm Wednesday.

There is no further information available on those who died at this stage.

Police investigators are on their way to the scene.

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