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Police officer caught out trying to cross flooded road

Northern Territory Police have exposed one of their own officers after he tried and failed to drive through a flooded crossing.

The experienced officer became stranded in the fast moving Mann River, east of Oenpelli on Sunday afternoon.

Images taken from above the river shows the officer standing on the roof of his submerged vehicle, waiting to be rescued.

Aware of just how dangerous the situation could have been, Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTFRS) have now shone a light on his mistake in a bid to remind everyone not to underestimate just how quickly rivers can change.

The police officer stood on the roof waiting to be rescued as water surrounded his vehicle. Source: Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services
The police officer stood on the roof waiting to be rescued as water surrounded his vehicle. Source: Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services

“To highlight the dangers of flooded crossings and how quickly rivers change – over the weekend, one of our own had to be rescued from his vehicle when it was washed off a causeway,” NTFRS wrote alongside images of the stranded officer.

“The experienced officer – who had driven through the same crossing the day before and made appropriate enquires prior to returning to his post at Ramingining on Saturday evening – was found with his vehicle in the Mann River, approximately 80 kilometres east of Oenpelli.

"He was rescued at around 3.00pm on Sunday afternoon.”

The officer had travelled through the crossing one day earlier. Source: Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services
The officer had travelled through the crossing one day earlier. Source: Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services

Police reiterated how important it is to tell someone “where you’re going and when you expect to return” when it comes to dangerous road conditions.

“You should stay with your vehicle if you get stuck and remember to always have water, food and medical supplies with you just in case.”

The police vehicle will be recovered at a future date.

Road conditions can change very quickly during the Wet Season. It is important to always check the road report NT website or Facebook page before heading out on a trip.