The search for a woman believed to have been involved in a car crash near Alice Springs in the early hours of yesterday has been called off.

Northern Territory Police and Australian Federal Police conducted ground searches of the area surrounding the airport after a report was received around 1am from the woman claiming to be lost and in distress after her car apparently hit a kangaroo. The woman told police she could see the lights of the airport then the mobile phone went dead.

Senior Constable Trevor Howie said police then continued searching by ground and air for the rest of the day however they were unable to locate the woman.

"We also had NTES volunteers assisting in the search and they were deployed to conduct ground searches around Alice Springs signs and as air spotters in the helicopter," Sen Const Howie said.

"The area identified by Telstra as being the source of the phone call has been completely covered without any sign of a crashed vehicle or anyone apparently wandering in the bush. Everything that could be done has been, so this morning the search has officially been called off. We will, however, continue to investigate the incident to try to identify the mobile phone that was used in the call, and then, hopefully be able to identify the caller."

Meanwhile, a search for a man missing since heavy rain flooded the Sandover River near Arlparra in January has also been called off.

Members of the Territory Response Section were used to search for the man after he and his brother were swept away in the fast-flowing river. The body of one of the brothers was recovered a few days later, however, an extensive air and ground search failed to find any sign of the second man.

TRS members returned to Arlparra last weekend to continue the search after flood waters subsided, however, the search was called off yesterday when there was still no sign of the missing man after several days of searching.

Superintendent Megan Rowe said the man's family had been advised.

"Despite everyone's best efforts we have been unable to locate the missing man. The family have been advised of our decision and completely understand the futility of continuing the search.," Supt Rowe said.

"We have advised them of the extent of the search and explained the conditions on the ground following extensive flooding. They understand that it's quite possible the man's body may never be found."


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