Woman found deep in mangroves passes away in hospital

POLICE WRAP: A woman who wandered away from home and was found deep in the mangroves has passed away in hospital.

UPDATE, THURSDAY: A WOMAN who was rescued earlier this week on the Tiwi Islands has tragically passed away in hospital.

The 35-year-old wandered from her home at Wurrumiyanga on Sunday and was found on Monday deep in a mangrove. She was carried out by community members and escorted by authorities onto land.

NT Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

“Out of respect for the family, there will be no further police comment,” an NT Police statement said.

UPDATE, TUESDAY: A WOMAN who wandered away from home at Wurrumiyanga was found a day later deep in the mangroves.

NT Police say the 35-year-old, who has serious health issues, left home on Sunday about 11am. Family reported her missing a few hours later and a land search began in the afternoon.

Remote Sergeant Sarah Hutchinson said when the woman wasn’t found on Sunday, extra resources were called in.

“Wurrumiyanga Police called in additional support from Darwin to help with the search by air, land and sea, including members from the Water Police and the Territory Response Group’s search and rescue team, along with about 200 members of the community,” she said.

“No-one was going to give up until she was found.”

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra was alerted, which deployed the Challenger jet with thermal imaging capability from Cairns to help find the woman.

“One of our members on the NT Police plane spotted a light yesterday evening,” Sgt Hutchinson said.

“It was in the mangroves near the water, and thought it might be the missing woman. We sent a boat to the site, and members of the community also went to that area on foot.”

Community members found the woman deep in the mangroves and carried her out. They were met by police on a council boat, who took them woman to the barge landing.

After receiving treatment from the local clinic, she was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.

“To the three young men who found her and began to carry her out of the mangroves and the mud, well done. Yours was an act of bravery to save someone’s life,” Sgt Hutchinson said.

UPDATE, FRIDAY: NT Police have rescued a man after he spent 24 hours floating in Tapa Bay, Cox Peninsula after his boat engine died.

The commercial fisherman triggered his emergency beacon (EPIRB) when his vessel suffered electrical and mechanical failure.

At 7.30am Friday, police were notified of the beacon, and a helicopter and the PV Fourcroy were sent to search for the man’s boat.

Acting Sergeant Christopher Raeburn said the man spent 24 hours “in the elements”.

“With supplies running low, the fisherman activated his EPIRB. That signal was picked up by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, who subsequently notified the Water Police Section.”

Police located and liaised with the solo fisherman on his 4.5m vessel, provided care and attempted to assist in mechanical repair but ultimately opted to tow the vessel back to Darwin where the fisherman was reunited with family around 10.30am Friday.

“Water Police Search and Rescue Coordinators with the assistance of AMSA, Port Darwin, CHC Helicopters and Bristow Helicopters co-ordinated the safe recovery of the fisherman and his vessel from a situation that could have turned for the worse without such a quick response,” A/Sergeant Raeburn said.

“This is another example of how important it is to have the right safety gear on board, and how the many service providers and private businesses work together to help a vessel in distress.”

UPDATE, WEDNESDAY: IT was a busy night for Alice Springs and Tennant Creek cops who responded to seven break-ins at homes, businesses and even the tent of some unlucky campers.

Southern Watch Commander Allan Milner said police were investigating five break-ins at Alice Springs properties and two Tennant Creek homes, with thieves making off with bank cards, loose change and a station wagon.

Mr Milner said all of the break-ins were being treated as unrelated incidents.

He said campers at the G’Day mate Tourist Park, outside Alice Springs, had two bank cards stolen as they were sleeping.

Police believe the tent was broken into between 10pm and 6am, with an unknown person climbing into the tent to take a bank card and a set of car keys.

The thief used the keys to open a nearby vehicle, find a wallet and steal a second bank card.

Mr Milner said in an unusual move, the offender then went back to the tent to return the keys.

Police also arrested two teenage boys in connection to a break in at the Sakura Sushi Roll, at Alice Springs.

Mr Milner alleged between 11.15pm-11.25pm a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old boy broke into the business through a boarded up timber covering.

He alleged the pair stole a carton of Coca-Cola and were arrested at the scene.

More Coca-Cola and a bottle of spirits were allegedly nicked in an unrelated break in at an Araluen home.

Police allege an 18-year-old boy broke into an undercover areas connected to the Clark St property between 7.40pm and 8.10pm.

The teenager was arrested at the scene.

He was granted bail and is set to appear at Alice Springs Local Court at a later date.

Mr Milner said another home was broken into at the River Gum Apartments, The Gap.

He said burglars broke in through the kitchen window to take an iPhone and a small amount of cash sometime between 10pm and 5am.

Mr Milner said patrolling Alice Springs police officers also noticed a suspected stolen black Landrover station wagon abandoned on Telegraph Terrace at 2.33am.

He said vehicle checks confirmed the owners lived on the other side of Alice Springs, on Undoolya Rd, East Side.

“The occupants didn’t realise the vehicle had been stolen,” Mr Milner said.

Police believe the East Side home was broken into sometime before 2.30am, allowing the thief to get away with their car keys.

It comes as two Tennant Creek homes were also broken into.

Mr Milner said an Ambrose St home was also broken into between 6am Monday and 1.30pm on Tuesday, with offenders damaging a rear window to steal a watch and some coins.

He said investigators were still waiting on forensic results.

A Blain St home was also broken into between 10pm and 11.47am Tuesday, November 23.

He said access was gained by damaging a mesh screen door, and a small amount of cash was taken.

Mr Milner said the rush of overnight criminal activity was a seasonal affair, and was expected to reach its peak over Christmas.

“This is the build up,” Mr Milner said.

“We expect a busy summer again … (but) we hope not.”

Mr Milner said break-ins in the Territory’s south tended to increase as the weather warmed and residents spent more time out in the evenings.

He said Christmas was a dangerous time, with thieves targeting homes likely to be empty or filled with presents over the holiday period.

EARLIER: A YOUTH police allege burgled a business in the Alice Springs CBD last week, has been arrested and charged.

Shortly before 4am on Thursday, investigators say unknown offenders forced their way into a Hartley St business where it is alleged they stole food and various items before leaving the scene.

Police investigations of the unlawful entry led to the identification of a 13-year-old boy who was located and arrested at a home in Gap Rd later that morning.

He has been charged with unlawful entry, stealing, property damage and breach of bail.

EARLIER: POLICE have arrested two teenagers who they allegedly caught “attempting to drive a stolen vehicle in the Alice Springs CBD area” on Monday morning.

An NT Police spokeswoman said officers spotted the blue Holden Cruz “continuously stalling” at the intersection of Telegraph Tce and Parsons St at about 3.45am.

The officers identified the vehicle as being stolen and ran over to it where they arrested an 18-year-old man in the driver’s seat and a 16-year-old boy in the passenger seat.

Investigations indicated the vehicle was stolen in an unlawful entry of a home in East Side where the victim’s handbag, wallet and a quantity of alcohol had been stolen earlier that morning.

The 18-year-old was charged with unlawful entry, stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and being a learner driver without a licenced passenger in the car.

The youth was charged with unlawful entry, stealing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

EARLIER: POLICE have arrested a man after he was allegedly busted breaking into a property in Alice Springs at the weekend.

An NT Police spokeswoman said the officers spotted a group of people loading items into a vehicle when responding to a reported burglary near the golf course.

The group fled but officers received further reports of them returning just after 1am and police dog Freddy and his handler allegedly saw the 21-year-old climbing out a window carrying stolen property.

A struggle ensued and the man was eventually arrested and charged with criminal damage, stealing, unlawful entry and resisting police.

Anyone with information in relation to the burglary is urged to contact police on 131 444 or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Woman found deep in mangroves passes away in hospital