A 25-year-old woman drowns at Ellery Creek Big Hole near Alice Springs, NT
Consensus Summary
A 25-year-old woman drowned at Ellery Creek Big Hole, a popular swimming spot near Alice Springs, Northern Territory, on April 12, 2026, around 12:50 PM. Witnesses performed CPR before paramedics arrived, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The area was closed to the public during the police investigation, with ABC reporting the closure on April 12 and NEWSCOMAU noting it was reopened the following day. The woman was traveling with friends, and while the cause of death is presumed to be drowning, an autopsy has not yet been completed. Ellery Creek Big Hole, located about 80 km west of Alice Springs, is known for its cold, deep water, and authorities have warned visitors about the risks of prolonged exposure.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A 25-year-old woman drowned at Ellery Creek Big Hole near Alice Springs on April 12, 2026, around 12:50 PM local time
- CPR was performed on the woman by witnesses before St John Ambulance/paramedics took over resuscitation efforts, but she could not be revived
- The area was closed to the public while police investigated the incident
- Ellery Creek Big Hole is a popular swimming spot in the West MacDonnell Ranges, about 80 km west of Alice Springs, known for its 27m depth and cold water
- The woman was traveling with friends in the Northern Territory when the incident occurred
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Police have been unable to confirm whether the woman was from the Northern Territory or elsewhere
- The area was closed to the public as of the time of reporting (April 12, 2026, 10:20 AM)
- The area was reopened to the public on April 13, 2026, after the investigation
- Next of kin have been notified, and the cause of death is believed to be drowning, though an autopsy has not yet been completed
- Northern Territory Police urged visitors to take care around waterways and follow safety advice in remote locations
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC does not mention the area being reopened, while NEWSCOMAU states it was reopened on April 13, 2026
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