Nhulunbuy and Arnhem Highway road deaths: Details emerge from NT Easter road tragedies

Police are working to formally identify two men killed in a fiery crash ahead of the Easter long weekend – but have successfully identified a female pedestrian killed on Good Friday in a separate incident. Latest.

Police are working to formally identify two men killed in a fiery crash ahead of the Easter long weekend – but have successfully identified a female pedestrian killed on Good Friday in a separate incident.

Two men, believed to be from Darwin and aged 27 and 30 died in a crash on the Arnhem Hwy near Jabiru on Thursday afternoon.

In a statement on Saturday, police said the Toyota van they were travelling in had caught fire in the crash.

NT Police said a Disaster Victim Identification team had been sent to the scene to process and recover the human remains.

Police said the victim identification team was working with pathologists and the Coroner’s office to formally identify the victims, and that officers had spoken with the families of both men.

A third passenger in the van, 20-year-old male who had been in the rear, was able to escape before the fire took hold, and suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Police also confirmed the female pedestrian victim of a separate crash which occurred in the early hours of Good Friday at Melville Bay Road, Nhulunbuy had been formally identified as a 29-year-old local woman.

She was hit by a Holden utility being driven by a 25-year-old man, who tested negative to alcohol.

The man is assisting with inquiries.

“Sadly, 18 Territorians have lost their lives on our roads in the first three months of this year and it is believed that 95 per cent are linked to alcohol or drugs,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said.

“We are imploring Territorians, whether you are a driver or a pedestrian, if you’ve been drinking or taking drugs – stay off the road.”