Northern Territory Police concerned for welfare of couple who fled towards crocodile infested waters

news.com.au

26 Aug, 2017 09:43 AM2 mins to read

Caitlyn Munnich and Raphael Woodhouse are believed to have jumped into the Mary River. Photo / Facebook

Grave concerns are held for a woman, believed to be pregnant, and a man who may have jumped into a croc infested river to escape police after they ran from a roadblock near Mary River Saturday morning.

Police say the couple may have jumped into the Mary River, on the edge of Kakadu National Park, and have not been seen since, said news.com.au.

Raphael Woodhouse, 25, who has previously been wanted by police in relation to alleged drug offending, and Caitlyn Munnich, 19, were pulled over at a road stop in the early hours of Saturday morning on the Arnhem Hwy.

Ms Munnich is also known to police.

A police spokeswoman could not confirm what time the couple were pulled over, but said they fled on foot from their car towards the nearby Bird Billabong.

The spokeswoman said the roadblock from which the couple fled was targeting drugs and that police abandoned the foot chase after concerns for their own safety near the water in the dark.

Territory Duty Superintendent James O'Brien said the two are thought to have jumped into the water.

"We believe the pair may have jumped into the Mary River and we hold grave concerns for their welfare," he said.

"The Mary River system is full of salt water crocodiles and we are hoping that these people have made it to safety."

Police did not respond to questions about why they thought the couple may have fled.
Emergency services were sent to the scene of the couple's disappearance early Saturday.
Duty Supt O'Brien said the couple should not be approached.

A police spokeswoman could not confirm if the couple are thought to be dangerous.

Both are described as being of indigenous appearance.