Mystery as human LEG is found on the side of highway and cops don’t know if victim is dead or alive

DETECTIVES have launched an investigation after part of a human leg was discovered on the side of a highway.

Cops are currently unsure whether the victim is alive or dead after a traveller made the grisly find on Tuesday morning.

Authorities swiftly closed Stuart Highway between Howard Springs lights and Virginia Road in Coolalinga, Australia as urgent forensic investigations were carried out.

In a statement, detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey said: “We've had a forensic pathologist attend on-site who has confirmed the remains are a lower leg of a dark skinned human being.”

According to reports, police have not found any other body parts in the area, despite extensive search efforts of the major Northern Territory highway.

Det Morrissey said the person was likely to have suffered a serious injury.

“We believe it's within the last 24 hours,” he said.

“There have been no reports to hospitals or clinics with an injury of this severity.”

Major crash investigators, crime scene investigators and crime division detectives were called to the scene as officers scoured the area for clues.

Reports suggest teams concentrated their search on the intersection that separates the four-lane highway.

Since the discovery, police have now requested motorists with dash cam footage recorded on the section of highway between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning to come forward.

Detective Morrisey said: “We are asking for witnesses or anyone who may have been driving in the area to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference 10020603.”