Northern Territory Police are conducting a search and rescue for two sets of missing persons in Arnhem Land.

Five people were travelling in the same vehicle on Friday night, August 21, when they got into difficulty crossing a creek.  A family of three left the vehicle late on Friday night about 50km down Maningrida Road to walk to Oenpelli.

The woman and child felt unwell and the man left them in the bush to seek help. He was picked up on Sunday morning by a passing motorist and raised the alarm. A search then commenced searching for the 33-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter. It is understood they do not have any provisions with them.

The Nissan Navara in which they were travelling was found stranded in a creek further towards Maningrida, and the whereabouts of the other two occupants, a man and a woman, is also unknown.

Police from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida and the Territory Response Group are currently searching the area east of Oenpelli by ground and air for any sign of the missing people.

Anyone who may know the whereabouts of these people is asked to contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.