Body of missing 61-year-old South Australian tourist found at Edith Falls
Quick Look
- Northern Territory Police have found the body of 61-year-old Dominic O'Connell, a South Australian tourist who went missing from Edith Falls outside Katherine yesterday.
- He was last seen near the lower plunge pool in Nitmiluk National Park with his wife, who is being offered support.
- Police say his death is not believed to be suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Edith Falls in Nitmiluk National Park is a popular tourist destination near Katherine in the Northern Territory. Previous incidents include a 57-year-old tourist who went missing in July last year and was later found in the lower pool, and a 2018 search that failed to locate 67-year-old Queensland man Alex Rosenberg who disappeared from the area.
In short:
The body of a 61-year-old man who yesterday went missing from Edith Falls, outside Katherine, has been found.
In a statement, a Northern Territory Police spokesperson said Dominic O'Connell was visiting the popular lower plunge pool with his wife, who is now being offered support.
What's next?
Police say Mr O'Connell's death is not believed to be suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Northern Territory Police have found the body of a 61-year-old South Australian tourist who went missing from Edith Falls outside Katherine yesterday.
In a statement, an NT Police spokesperson said Dominic O'Connell was last seen near the lower plunge pool at the popular waterhole in Nitmiluk National Park, about 300 kilometres south of Darwin, between 1pm and 3pm.
They said Mr O'Connell had been visiting the area with his wife, and police were now providing her with support.
"Police extend their sincere condolences to the man’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," they said.
"Police would also like to thank Parks and Wildlife NT rangers, and all personnel involved in the search for their assistance.
"The death is not believed to be suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner."
Earlier this morning, during the search for Mr O'Connell, the spokesperson said police divers had started searching the lower plunge pool.
"Police and Parks and Wildlife NT rangers have conducted an extensive search of the area using a range of resources but have so far been unable to locate Dominic," they said.
"While Edith Falls remains open today, the lower plunge pool is closed to the public and is only accessible to members involved in the search.
"Police understand there were several people in and around the Edith Falls plunge pool at the time Dominic was last seen and are particularly keen to speak with anyone who was in the area between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday."
Police search and rescue crews have been deployed to the area several times in recent years.
In July last year, a 57-year-old tourist went missing. His body was later found in the lower pool of Edith Falls.
In 2018, a search was unable to locate 67-year-old Queensland man Alex Rosenberg, who disappeared from the area.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
A coroner's report will be prepared to determine the official cause of death.
Very likely · Within weeks
The lower plunge pool at Edith Falls will remain closed to the public until the investigation concludes.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What was the exact cause of Dominic O'Connell's death?
- Were there any witnesses to his disappearance or final moments?
- What safety measures are in place at Edith Falls to prevent similar incidents?