Outrage after Aussie dad's 'unbelievable' act at popular campsite: 'Next level stupid'
Michael Smith said numerous people tried to warn the man about letting his kids swim in the crocodile-infested river.
A dad’s “unbelievably” dangerous act at a popular campsite and his “defiant” response to those who desperately tried to warn him has left Aussies flabbergasted.
Michael Smith was returning from a successful day of fishing with his mate Jason on the Mary River in the Northern Territory on Saturday afternoon when the pair spotted something strange.
While approaching the boat ramp with his roughly 90cm barramundi catch, the proud fisherman told Yahoo News Australia he couldn’t believe his eyes when Jason pointed out “there were a couple of people swimming in the water” — which is well-known to be teeming with crocodiles.
“As we got closer we realised they were kids, probably 10 or 12 years old,” he said, explaining that when he got out of the tinnie to collect their car, he noticed the father of the kids was sitting nearby “supervising”.
“There was a couple of other people in boats and also on the shore telling him, you know, ‘You’re dead in the water. What are you doing? You’re pretty much crazy’.”
However, instead of heading their warning, the Aussie dad argued back and insults began flying.
“When I returned [to the boat ramp] with the car, he’s got his kids out of the water and he was in the water fishing himself, in waist-deep water with a fishing rod,” Michael said. “I think in sharp defiance of everyone who was telling him to get out of the water, he hopped in himself. We couldn’t believe it.”
'Big crocodiles' spotted just 300 metres away
Just 300 metres from where the family were seen taking a dip at the Shady Camp barrage wall and campground, Michael told Yahoo he saw three or four “big crocodiles” about three metres long swimming alongside their boat.
“And those are the ones you can see,” he added, referring to their ability to hide in murky water. The dad wasn’t the only problematic visitor at Mary River — which attracts fisherman from all over the country during the “run off” between March and April, Michael said.
“There were a whole bunch of people standing around the shoreline too. A lot of people had their feet in the water,” he explained.
While most NT rivers average five crocodiles per kilometre, Mary River is home to nearly 15 saltwater crocodiles per kilometre, according to the Northern Territory Government. Fishing from the barrage is “very dangerous and not recommended”, the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory states, and no swimming is allowed anywhere in the Mary River National Park.
Aussies horrified by dad's 'stupidity'
The image of the two kids swimming as their dad watches on has created a stir among outraged Aussies after being posted online on Sunday.
“This is one of the dumbest f**king things I’ve seen in my entire life,” one person commented.
“The level of stupidity on display here is beyond comprehension,” another said, while others called on authorities to investigate the incident. “You would have to be mad — what is wrong with some people?” someone else wrote.
'Entitled' people ignore croc warnings, expert says
Those who ignore obvious signage and verbal warnings from others when visiting crocodile habitats were branded as “arrogant” and “entitled” by an expert late last month.
"For some reason [in] Far North Queensland people just flat out ignore the warning signs and then cry poor me when something happens," Tommy Hayes told Yahoo News after a young Aussie family were filmed walking their dog on the water’s edge in Cairns.
Hayes said that not only are people putting themselves at risk, but the lives of crocodiles which are often “killed” if an interaction occurs.
How to practise 'crocwise' behaviour, according to DES
Obey all warning signs – they are there to keep you safe
Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night
Stay well away from croc traps – that includes fishing and boating
The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks
Stand back from the water’s edge when fishing and don’t wade in to retrieve a lure
Camp at least 50 metres from the edge of the water
Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near water, campsite or boat ramp
Never provoke, harass, or feed crocs
Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead
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