Australia’s most dangerous water crossing: notorious croc hot spot

IT’S shallow and only a few metres wide. But Cahills Crossing is one of Australia’s most dangerous bodies of water. Those who enter rarely make it out alive.

A saltwater crocodile chomps down on a barramundi after catching it at high tide at Cahills Crossing. Crocodiles gather at the crossing to catch an easy feed as the high tide allows fish to swim over the crossing. Picture: Michael Franchi

IT’S an infamous feeding ground for saltwater crocodiles and one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the country.

Cahills Crossing, on the East Alligator River in the Northern Territory, is notorious for its croc infested waters and human misadventure.

A crocodile once decapitated a man there in front of his friends. Yesterday, another man was taken and killed by saltie.

Each year, dozens of brazen drivers attempt to make it across the submerged crossing but instead end up being washed away into the croc infested waters. Others risk their lives by wading in the waters and fishing. Some even bring their children.

Rangers last year conducted a survey of the East Alligator River and counted 120 crocodiles in a six-kilometre stretch south of Cahills Crossing.

Saltwater crocodiles gather at Cahill's Crossing in Arnhem Land.

Dozens of cars are washed off Cahills Crossing into croc infested waters every year. Stuart Butler

A man and three occupants managed to escape the flooded vehicle with their lives after it was washed off the notorious Cahills Crossing. Picture: John McNeur

Basks of crocodiles frequently congregate at the river crossing, on the eastern edge of Kakadu National Park, to feast on swarms of fish that head upstream with changing tides. It is referred to as ‘floating fish behaviour’ and up to 40 crocodiles can be spotted together at the same time, a spectacle that attracts big crowds.

The crossing is popular with tourists and fishermen — despite warning signs that point out an extreme risk of saltwater crocodile attacks.

Yet some people continue to risk — and sometimes lose — their lives. Amateur fishermen, families including children and backpackers have been photographed standing in the water with crocodiles visibly nearby. World leading crocodile expert Grahame Webb told news.com.au that for every crocodile you can see, there are “10 you can’t”.

This family continued to fish with their young boys aged around seven and eight at the waters edge as more than 15 four metre crocs could be seen around the crossing. Some even went over the crossing into deeper water.

This photo of 40-year-old Kerry McLoughlin fishing at Cahills Crossing, East Alligator River in Kakadu National Park, was taken moments before he was attacked and killed by a crocodile in 1987.

The most infamous crocodile attack at Cahills Crossing involved 40-year-old Kerry McLoughlin who was fishing with mates when he was taken by a crocodile that launched from the water and decapitated him in 1987.

The moment before the fatal attack was captured in a photograph taken by one of his friends.

But Mr McLoughlin was not to be the last man killed by a crocodile in the area.

Yesterday a 47-year-old man yesterday disappeared while wading through the crossing.

His body was recovered 2km downstream “in proximity to a 3.3 metre crocodile” around 7pm. Superintendent Warren Jackson said two females and a male were attempting to cross the fast flowing river when the incident took place.

“The two females made it across, however the male was reported missing a short time later,” Supt. Jackson said.

“Members from Gunblanya and Jabiru Police assisted by East Alligator Rangers conducted extensive searches in and around the area.

“The man’s body has been transported to Darwin in order to determine the cause of death.”

Police said the crocodile was “destroyed” at the scene.

A woman attracts the attention of a 4m saltwater crocodile when she approaches the edge of Cahills Crossing along with her puppy named Meatball. She then proceeded to slap her thong to scare away the beast and throw a stick, striking the crocodile.

Despite the tragedies, warning signs and multiple crocodile sightings, many visitors to Cahills Crossing remain complacent.

In September last year, a woman and her small dog had a dangerous confrontation with a 4m crocodile while standing at the water’s edge at Cahill’s Crossing.

The croc stalked the pair from the shallows but the woman managed to spook it away by clapping a thong against her hand. The incident was caught on video and attracted widespread criticism.

Crocodile expert Dr Adam Britton, a researcher at Charles Darwin University, said alcohol is frequently involved when attacks occur.

He said nothing will stop some people from wading into the water and putting their lives at risk.

“There’s always going to be someone doing something silly, it’s just human nature to push the envelope,” he said.

“But (another crossing) will reduce the risk for other people when they have more safe options.”

There is an estimated 80,000-100,000 crocodiles in the Top End.

Originally published as Australia’s most dangerous water crossing: notorious croc hot spot