Officers from Tennant Creek thought the man’s body had been there for about five days.
“The deceased has now been formally identified as a 37-year-old local man, who police believe fell from the vehicle,” Northern Territory Police said in a statement.
“At this stage in the investigation, it appears the driver of the vehicle was unaware of the man’s presence on the commercial vehicle.
“Investigators believe the deceased was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.”
Police said everyone involved in the incident was cooperating.
The Coroner will have access to CCTV as part of the report.
