Police had to shoot crocodiles to allow them to recover a ute with a man’s body inside from a creek at Dundee Downs on Friday afternoon, after the vehicle crashed into the water near a boat ramp on Thursday afternoon, NT Police said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Lindner said in a statement about 6pm Friday it was a difficult recovery, and made more complicated due to saltwater crocodiles, a number of which were shot and killed to ensure the safety of those involved in the recovery operation.

He said the man’s body was found in the ute, and police were working to formally identify the him, while in contact with family of the person believed to have died.

Snr Sgt Lindner said in a statement on Friday morning that about 4:30pm Thursday, police received reports that the white ute, travelling near the Six Pack Creek boat ramp off Barramundi Drive, had crashed into the water trapping two passengers as it sank. The boat ramp sits between Crab Claw Island resort and Dundee Beach.

He said one occupant was able to get out of the ute but a second passenger could not.

A police source said the pair were not launching a boat and that the car was submerged near the ramp.

Snr Sgt Lindner said there was significant damage to the ute in the crash that happened immediately prior to entering the water.

He said the surviving occupant remains in hospital and is not believed to have suffered any serious physical injuries.

Police used police divers to get the ute out of the water.

Police are asking anyone who saw a white ute in the area Thursday afternoon, or anyone with knowledge of those involved and how the crash occurred, to call them on 131 444.