An 11-year-old boy has been killed in a "horrific" crash outside a suburban shopping centre near Darwin.
WARNING: Readers may find details in this story distressing
The child, who was visiting from interstate with his family, died after he was struck by a large white ute outside Moulden Supermarket in Palmerston at about 12:45pm on Tuesday.
In a statement released this morning, NT Police said it would like to speak to two girls who were captured on CCTV observing the entire incident, as well as any other witnesses.
Head of NT Police's Major Crash Investigations Unit, Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner, said the 11-year-old was hit as the 54-year-old driver of the ute was "negotiating reversing out of a car park close to the front door".
"For reasons we've yet to determine, instead of reversing, the car has lurched forward and tragically has struck an 11-year-old boy who was walking immediately in front of the car," he said.
"It's lurched forward a few metres across the walkway, pinning him against the wall, where he's suffered horrific injuries.
"He tragically has died as a result of those injuries."
Police officers and St John Ambulance paramedics attended but were unable to save the boy.
"Tragically there was nothing they could do," Senior Sergeant Lindner said.
He said the boy's family members were among "a number of people" in the car park at the time.
"It's a horrific incident, it's a horrific death, towards the end of the year, five days out from Christmas," he said.
The driver of the ute stayed at the scene and spoke to police.
Senior Sergeant Lindner said the man had been tested for alcohol and drugs and "returned a result that indicated positive for drugs".
"He was arrested... [and] taken to hospital where a sample of blood has been taken, which will be subjected to forensic toxicological analysis," he said.
The driver has since been released from custody, but will be required to speak to police once the blood sample results come back.
Major Crash detectives are now investigating the circumstances of the crash.
They declared a crime scene at the Moulden Supermarket car park this afternoon, where investigators could be seen examining the scene.
Senior Sergeant Lindner urged any witnesses to the crash, or anyone who saw the driver before it happened, to come forward.
He said detectives were also reviewing CCTV footage of the scene.
The boy's death takes the 2022 Northern Territory road toll so far to 51 — the highest figure on record since 2008.
Senior Sergeant Lindner urged Territorians to take care on the roads over the holiday period.
"Everyone's in a rush at this time of year ... take your time," he said.
"Just saving yourself five minutes is not worth risking your life or the lives of others.
"You can only imagine how Christmas is going to be for this poor family. It's unimaginable."
Police have not revealed which jurisdiction the boy and his family were visiting from.
They said the boy's family was receiving support.
