Police have been searching for two separate overdue parties over the last 48 hours due to heavy rain in the area.

A couple and their three children, two boys aged 10 years and 3 months and a girl aged 6 years, were travelling in a yellow Mazda 4 hatchback from Arlparra Store to Barrow Creek on Wednesday when they were reported missing by concerned family members.

They were located this afternoon by a search helicopter containing police and a community volunteer. All are safe and well and have been flown to the community of Ali Curung to be with family members.

It is reported that they became bogged due to heavy flooding approximately 19kms east of Neutral Junction on a dirt track. The missing party had remained at and were located with their vehicle.

Territory Duty Superintendent Bruce Porter said that it was fortunate that the family had remained with their vehicle as it made the task of searching for and locating them that much easier.

Two more men, brothers aged 24 and 32, remain missing after it is believed the two entered a flooded river in Atheleye Station, 20 km's north of Arlparra.

The incident was reported to police after another member of the family witnessed them being swept down stream.

Police from Arlparra, the Territory Response Section, Community and NT Emergency Service volunteers have been conducting ground and air searches throughout the area.

"We have numerous search and rescue personnel currently searching the river and its banks on foot as well as members in helicopters. It is a very difficult and demanding task due to the fact the there is considerable flood waters and poor terrain conditions hampering our search efforts, however we are doing everything that we possibly can to locate these persons."

"Although the water is slowly subsiding, the current remains quite strong and I continue to urge all members of the public to stay well away from these areas" he said.


Media contact:
Amy Sloan
0417 770686