NT Police are heading to the remote location a man was fatally stabbed in the neck.

NT Police arrested the alleged attacker about 8.30am on Thursday near Ti Tree, almost 200km north of Alice Springs.

Detective Superintendent Travis Wurst said police were called to the Stuart Highway near Aileron around 5.30pm on Wednesday where they found a male tourist had been stabbed in the neck. He died at the scene.

“It is believed that two French tourists, being husband and wife, were at a rest stop 30km south of the Aileron Roadhouse when they were approached by an unknown man,” Detective Superintendent Wurst said.

“The man has allegedly then stabbed the male tourist to the neck, in an unprovoked attack. The attacker then fled in a vehicle. Shortly after, that vehicle was stopped by police near Ti Tree, however the driver fled on foot into bushland.”

He was arrested a short time after. The victim’s partner was transferred to Alice Springs Hospital where she is being treated for shock, police said.

“A crime scene will remain in place for the remainder of today,” Detective Superintendent Wurst said.

“Police will continue to speak to a number of witnesses to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death.”

andrew.koubaridis@news.com.au