Media release

Lives lost on Territory roads – clarification

Police

Northern Territory Police seek to clarify the number of lives lost on Territory roads so far this year.

A 28-year-old male in Umbakumba with a pre-existing medical condition was thought to have suffered a medical episode when he died following a low-speed crash in Umbakumba on 1 January 2021. It now appears an injury suffered in the crash impacted his medical condition, resulting in his death. His death has been classified as a road fatality. The man was hooning and believed to be not wearing his seatbelt at the time.  He was performing a series of ‘doughnuts’ immediately prior to the crash. This is the second New Year’s Day fatal in a row involving hooning in a remote community.

Major Crash detectives continue to investigate the death of a pedestrian in Knuckey Lagoon this week. This death has not been included as a road fatality pending further investigation.

The death of a woman struck by a vehicle in a car park in Alice Springs on 7 January remains under investigation by Alice Springs Criminal Investigation Branch. The death will not be classified as a road fatality.

A 31-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash this morning on Gunn Point Road, Howard Springs. Police will prepare a report for this road fatality for the Coroner.