Cahills Crossing NT: Tour guide captures driver taking on flooded road

Video of a ute coming agonisingly close to getting washed off Cahills Crossing in croc-infested waters, after attempting to tackle it at the height of the running tide has prompted fierce debate. WATCH.

A four-wheel drive utility has been captured on video making a dash across the East Alligator River at Cahills Crossing during a lightning-fast tide, leading a well-known tour leader to label it the “closest call” he’s ever seen at the iconic spot.

The video, captured by Venture North Safaris’ head tour guide, David McMahon, who boasts a large online following courtesy his colourful vignettes introducing viewers to the more spectacular corners of the Territory, was taken on Friday, Mr McMahon said online.

“Have a go at this idiot crossing the infamous Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River! Luckiest fella around,” he said.

The video depicts the utility, believed to be a Toyota HiLux, crossing the turgid river in front of stunned onlookers, coming perilously close at one point to being washed off.

A utility driver came dangerously close to being washed of Cahills Crossing on Friday, August 23, 2024. Picture: Instagram/ davidmcmahonaustralia

Mr McMahon said he believed there was about 1m of water across the roadway when the foolhardy driver made the crossing.

Narrating the video, he said, “This has to be the closest call I’ve seen at Cahills Crossing without someone getting their hair wet.”

“Look how close he comes, the front of the car gets washed off, then the back of the car gets washed off, by some remarkable feat he manages to get some purchase,” Mr McMahon said.

Another section of the video, taken a few minutes after the HiLux’s crossing, depicts about a dozen large crocodiles lurking just off the roadway.

Venture North Safaris head tour guide David McMahon. Picture: Instagram/ davidmcmahonaustralia

Mr McMahon said decals on the vehicle suggested it was a rental, but this could not be immediately verified.

He said the driver of the utility subsequently got in contact with him after the video gained traction online.

“He knows it was a silly thing to do in retrospect and says he just had a moment of not thinking,” Mr McMahon said.

“He’s learnt his lesson and hopefully it’s a lesson to anyone else crossing Cahills, wait for the tide and don’t risk it.”

The comments on Mr McMahon’s video were divided on whether the driver was foolhardy or not, in light of the fact he did, ultimately, make it across safely.

“Geez, what a numpty. That’s mental,” said one.

Another countered, “It’s a HiLux mate. He was always making it across.”