Man says he’s lucky to be alive after crashing into croc-infested water
A man who had to be rescued from his vehicle after he crashed into croc-infested waters has said he’s lucky to be alive.
Northern Territory
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A MAN who had to be rescued from the roof of his vehicle after he crashed his car into croc-infested waters has said he’s lucky to be alive.
Raed Zannoun lost control in an attempt to avoid a kangaroo and then a bus on the Arnhem Highway, crashing into a crocky looking waterway.
Northern Watch Commander Sonia Kennon said around 1pm Wednesday police were notified of a man sitting on the roof of his partially submerged vehicle just off the Arnhem Hwy.
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“The accident occurred approximately two kilometres from the Jumping Crocs site in an area known to be inhabited by saltwater crocodiles,” Senior Sergeant Kennon said.
“A joint Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency response was required and a ladder was used to enable the driver to climb under guard from the vehicle onto dry land.
“The driver alleges that a kangaroo ran in front of the vehicle causing him to take evasive action.”
Mr Zannoun, a refugee from Palestine, thanked emergency services for coming to the rescue.
He said he sat on the roof of his car for about 30 minutes before help arrived.
The Jabiru resident who works in the kitchen of the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel said he saw bubbles around his car and thought they may be from crocodiles.
“I’m lucky I’m alive. I am feeling sad about my car because very hard now to go back to work,” he said.
Due to his car sinking in the water Mr Zannoun was unable to collect his shopping from the car, losing a brand new phone and kitchen appliances as well as his mate’s car.
Having fled from a war torn ravaged area he said he was more scared when police pulled out a gun to use as protection from crocs than he was coming face-to-face with a crocodile.
He was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for medical examination.
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