Around 600 partygoers evacuate Cullen Bay sandbar party after the turn of the tide
Video footage has revealed the chaotic end to a Sandbar dance party as desperate revellers tried to find a way back to shore as the fast-rising high tide caught 600 punters off guard. SEE THE VIDEO.
Northern Territory
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VIDEO footage has revealed the chaotic end to a Sandbar dance party as desperate revellers tried to find a way back to shore as the fast-rising high tide caught 600 punters off guard.
As the water levels rose, revellers scambled to board a boat that would bring them to safety, but chaos reigned with one man taken to hospital after a confrontation, a boat capsized and several others colliding only 400m off Cullen Bay.
The NT News understands some boat operators who brought revellers to the party asked to be paid in drugs for the return journey.
Others had to pulled to safety after one boat capsized.
Desperately waving boats down, people clambered aboard whatever tinnie to get back to safety.
An NT Police statement said there were a number of altercations between boats and 300 litres of alcohol was seized and destroyed by police.
Police also attended the Cullen Bay area to assist with dispersing the large crowd.
Watch Commander Xavier McMahon said the NT Water Police section were continuing to investigate a number of identified marine offences.
“People don’t realise how quickly a situation can change with the NT tides,” Mr McMahon said.
“It was disappointing to see such a large crowd be so irresponsible and put so many people at risk.”
An event organiser who did not want to be named said people are responsible for their own boating safety.
“We made it super clear that everyone was responsible for their own way on and off the sandbar,” they said.
The organisers said they had a Covid-19 check-in barcode and hired a boat to ferry people on and off the sandbar.
“We understand the police concerns, however we tried our best to mitigate any risks,” they said.
Sandbar party attendee Lucy Beare said some boats were so full it looked they were going to sink.
“It was flat all day and then the water came up so quick,” Ms Beare said.
When the tide started to creep in, the music stopped and people were told to start trying to get back.
“Everyone was stranded on the bar, standing there trying to ask for lifts,” one said.
Owner of La Beach Fish & Chips Mal Fisher said there was a scramble for everyone to get off the sand island.
“All the boats were bringing them all over, it looked like a movie, just people everywhere with Eskies,” Mr Fisher said.
Seafood on Cullen manager Jade Liang said she could feel the vibrations of the music from the shopfront.
“More than 20 boats were going back and fourth taking people,” Ms Liang said.
Bureau of Metrology meteorologist Billy Lynch said Saturday afternoon was a spring tide, when the high and low tides were quite big.
“They would have gone to the sandbar because of the big low tide,” Mr Lynch said.
“But you also get a good high tide and when that happens the tide comes come in pretty quickly.”
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