The 20-year-old who died in a sunken vehicle that crashed in the dangerously crocodile-infested waters of the Northern Territory has been identified as a rising star of two codes of rugby.
Mark Williams was driving the Toyota Land Cruiser that crashed and rolled into the water near the boat ramp at Six Pack Creek, Dundee Downs, a popular fishing spot 123km west of Darwin on Thursday.
Mr Williams became trapped in the vehicle when it sank, while the sole passenger escaped without serious injury and was taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital.
The recovery of Mr Williams’ body had to be postponed until Friday as police and emergency services were forced to kill a number of menacing crocodiles to tow the vehicle safely back to shore.
Mark Williams has been identified as the 20-year-old man who died after crashing at a crocodile-infested fishing spot in the Northern Territory on Thursday.
Police said the recovery of Mr Williams’ body was extremely dangerous.
“This was a difficult recovery, made more complicated by the presence of saltwater crocodiles – a number of which were destroyed to ensure the safety of those involved in the recovery operation,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said.
Williams’ rugby club, the Northern Sharks, paid tribute on their Facebook page.
“It was with great sadness to learn of the passing of Mark Williams,” the message said.
“The Sharks family extends our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Roe and Williams families.
“Mark’s presence was a shining light and his smile was infectious. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed at the club.”
“Please know that our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.”
Mr Williams is remembered as a ‘beautiful, happy and friendly young man’
In a statement to NT News, the Northern Sharks representative said ‘no words can be gathered at the loss of our fallen brother’.
“Mark was a rare gift who was incredibly blessed with natural talent,” he said.
“He represented many clubs in the AFL, rugby union and rugby league. But it is the Northern Sharks where he found his home.”
A particular highlight was a field try scored by Mr Williams when he ripped the ball loose from a Litchfield Bears opponent.
Mr Williams won the club’s Rookie of the Year award, which was named after his uncle Mark Webster, a legend at the club.
He was also the youngest player to win another prestigious award: Marty Rammage Footballer of the Year, the club spokesman said.
In rugby union, Mr Williams represented the Northern Territory as a junior.
“A promising player, Mark’s toughness and impressive pace made him a standout on the wing and in the centres,” his former club, the Palmerston Crocs, wrote on social media.
Mr Williams (pictured left) was a rising star footballer who had represented the Northern Territory at the junior level in rugby union
“His dedication to the sport and his positive impact on and off the field will be greatly missed by his Crocs teammates.
‘In his memory, we bid farewell to Mark with gratitude for the indelible mark he left on the rugby community. Our thoughts are with the Williams family at this difficult time.”
Other online tributes remembered Mr Williams as ‘a lovely, happy and friendly young man’.
Police are still investigating the accident and preparing a report on the accident for the coroner.