"All I can say is: 'Who are the bastards that have flogged our bridge?"

A huge 10-tonne steel railway bridge has been stolen from Darwin's rural area.

Thieves used oxyacetylene equipment to cut the 20m x 2m bridge into sections to remove it from the site.

The bizarre theft was discovered only a few days ago when it was reported to a Territory politician.

The bridge is one of many on the old railway line between Darwin and Noonamah.

It was stolen from the Coolalinga area, about 35km south of Darwin.

Continued here