Croc run over at Cahills Crossing: New video reveals moment reptile got away after being run over
New footage of the viral croc versus HiLux at Cahills Crossing, taken from the other side of the river, reveals the reptile’s lucky escape. WATCH THE EXCLUSIVE VIDEO.
Northern Territory
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New footage has revealed a previously unseen angle of the now viral crocodile versus Toyota HiLux video, taken at Cahills Crossing.
Matteo Mastratisi shared the original footage on TikTok on Monday, with the viral video garnering 7.2m views by Wednesday morning.
The NT News can now reveal exclusive footage of the impact taken from the other side of the East Alligator River in West Arnhem Land.
The new video, taken by Hugo Cisterne, shows the croc’s ridged back momentarily breach the muddy waters, seconds before it is trapped under the wheels of the ute.
The vehicle continues driving through the waters with the croc trapped underneath and then pauses as the croc makes its lucky escape.
Crocodile expert Professor Grahame Webb told this masthead it was unlikely the croc was seriously injured in the incident.
“I don’t think it would’ve hurt the croc, except for a few bruises,” Professor Webb said.
“They’re very tough animals with very tough skin and bones.”
Professor Webb said the video was a reminder of the risks involved when driving through running water in croc country.
“These sort of things happen when you’re in crocodile territory – it’s not the road to Bondi we’re talking about,” he said.
“If you have to drive over water that’s flowing you have to really hold onto the steering wheel and keep going.
“If you get a bump you don’t stop because you have to constantly fight the current.
“Only go over water if you have to.
“In this case, if they did feel it at all, they would’ve just kept on moving.”
The scene of the footage, Cahills Crossing, is a well-known croc hotspot for tourists travelling through Kakadu National Park.
The East Alligator River crossing sits at the border of Kakadu and West Arnhem Land, with the rising tides often trapping low performance vehicles.
Professor Webb said the unusual croc congregation was due to the feeding opportunity these tides presented.
“There’s a barrage there and as the tidal water comes up fish come up too,” he said.
“The barrage presents a feeding zone so you often see crocs gather to feed there.
“Sometimes you can get a big congregation of crocs there that are pretty tolerant of each other — this is unusual.
“The same thing happens down at Mary River.
“They don’t usually congregate in such large numbers as they are highly territorial animals.”