A man has drowned after the boat he was crabbing in capsized in Leaders Creek, about 40km north-east of Darwin this afternoon.

It’s believed the man was one of two men crabbing in the vessel when it capsized.

A 72-year-old man managed to swim to safety, and was rescued by a group of commercial crabbers later in the afternoon.

He was airlifted to Royal Darwin Hospital by Careflight.

Police attended the scene, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.