Northern Territory Police believe the discovery of a human leg near the Stuart Highway outside Darwin was the result of a hit-and-run incident.
Authorities yesterday established a crime scene between Virginia Rd and Morgan Rd in the suburb of Coolalinga, after a member of the public reportedly found the human remains.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey yesterday told the media the limb was "a lower leg of a dark-skinned human being", and that police believed it had been left there in the previous 24 hours.
At a press conference this morning, Senior Sergeant Morrissey said information gathered since then suggested the remains had been left there after a road crash.
"As a result of examinations, police have established there has been some sort of vehicle versus pedestrian collision on the inbound lane of the Stuart Highway at that location," he said.
Senior Sergeant Morrissey said police had already received "a lot of information" from the public, but particularly wanted to hear from anyone who might have witnessed the crash or a vehicle parked on the side of the road between 8pm and 9pm on Monday, or anyone who might have dashcam footage from the area during that time.
"There would have been traffic in the area, hence our appeal for witnesses," he said.
"It's the main road into Darwin."
Senior Sergeant Morrissey said police had not yet identified the person whom the leg belonged to but were continuing their inquiries.
Police said no one had presented with a similar injury at any Northern Territory hospital or clinic, and an "extensive" search of the crime scene yesterday — involving NT Police's Tactical Response Group, general duties officers, police dogs and drones — did not find any more remains.
However, Senior Sergeant Morrissey confirmed the leg belonged to a teenager or adult, rather than a young child.
He said it was unlikely the person was still alive.
Detectives from the Major Crime and Major Crash units are continuing to investigate.
