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Car washed into croc country at Cahills Crossing

The sight of two men leaping to safety in the midst of rushing water filled with hungry crocs has left dozens of spectators shocked. See the jaw-dropping video.

Car washed off road at Cahills Crossing

Jaw-dropping footage of two men leaping to safety in the midst of rushing water filled with hungry crocs has emerged, but one witness said the footage did not come close to portraying the fear onlookers felt.

The witness – a woman who did not wish to be named – said she had been at Cahills Crossing on Monday afternoon to watch the crocs, and had seen at least 10 “big ones” hanging around.

She said she had watched two men in a ute make it through the flooded Cahills Crossing without issue on their first journey.

She said it became obvious the pair were not trying to travel beyond the infamous crossing when they turned the ute around and prepared to cross a second time.

“I think they were doing it for fun,” the woman said.

The video shows the men being towed back to safety by a road train until a strong current sweeps the vehicle off the flooded road, snapping the lifesaving rope connecting car and truck.

“Luckily enough, the truck driver was willing to reverse back and help them out,” she said.

“Everyone was apprehensive, watching as it was unfolding, and once the guys got rescued, we realised that they had two kids they had left on the platform.”

The witness said the men were eventually able to safely jump from their vehicle to the road train’s trailer, but the car was abandoned.

Footage of the shocking incident at Cahills Crossing.
Footage of the shocking incident at Cahills Crossing.

A Parks Australia spokesperson said rangers had not been present at the time of the incident and the vehicle had been removed from the water by the time they arrived.

The spokesperson said no rescue mission was needed and no injuries were reported despite the “high density of saltwater crocodiles, particularly on an incoming and high tide”.

“Performing a rescue operation is not only dangerous for vehicle occupants who attempted to cross, but for the Parks Australia and emergency services staff members who are required to assist those who are stranded and to extricate their vehicle from the water,” they said.

“Traditional owners at Kakadu National Park have expressed disappointment at this visitor behaviour, which puts everyone involved at risk of injury or even death.”

Originally published as Car washed into croc country at Cahills Crossing

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/car-washed-into-croc-country-at-cahills-crossing/news-story/e072e9a14fdaea19c441ced64ea6039f