Daniel Batman, a two-time sprint Olympian, died on Tuesday in a single-car crash south-east of Darwin.

Northern Territory police said Batman's car crashed in a culvert and rolled 10 metres after it had gone off the road. The accident is suspected to have been a result of lost control due to either machine or human error.

Batman was travelling east on the Arnhem Highway after midnight when the tragic accident happened. It is believed that Batman was up North visiting his children with his ex-wife, Daily Telegraph reported.

It is understood several hours have passed before the car wreck was spotted and reported by a passing motorist. Police received a report on the incident at about 7am.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant John Worrall told the Sydney Morning Herald speed and alcohol may have affected Batman's driving that fateful morning.

Young children left behind

Batman competed at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics. He married fellow Olympic sprinter and Australia field hockey player Nova Peris, but they divorced in 2010. Batman and Peris have two children, Destiny and Jack. Batman had another child post-divorce with partner Natalie Sainsbury. Baby Liberty was born just last year.

Tweets of sympathies

Batman's death is mourned in Twitter, with many users - fellow athletes and sports fans - shouting out their tribute.

@stevehookerpv: RIP Daniel Batman. You were truly an original. All our thoughts are with your young family.

@AthsAust: Very sad news at the passing of Daniel Batman... A talented athlete lost too early! #RIP

@theNSWIS: Sad to hear of the passing of Olympian Daniel Batman, a life taken too young. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

‏@JaseRicho: Very sad news re the passing of Olympian Daniel Batman - uber talented 400m runner taken far too soon. Condolences to family

@James_Boston: RIP Daniel Batman. Used to run against this guy in the Nationals once upon a time http://bit.ly/KLyD7w Nice guy, very sad.

@mattshirvington: 100m - 10.19s 200m - 20.44s 400m - 45.02s Daniel Batman was the best all round sprinter Australia has ever seen. Rest in peace mate...