Tour boat called into action to rescue duo trapped in croc-infested waters
Tourists experiencing the sights of the Northern Territory were given one hell of a story to take home after they came across a car trapped in croc-infested waters.
As the tour boat from Guluyambi Culture Cruise made its way towards the notorious Cahills Crossing on May 21, they discovered a stranded Mitsubish Magna with water pouring into the side of the car.
As their guests sat with “mouths wide open”, tour guides Robbie Narmanyilk and Nik Wheatley jumped into action.
Their colleague, Christie Littlejohn, told Yahoo7 News there are as many as 4000 crocodiles in that river system alone, while they have previously spotted up to 15 at the crossing at any one time.
“Robbie traversed the boat up as close as he could get so they could help the two people out of the passenger window,” she said.
“Everyone was pretty impressed at how calm they were.”
But the action didn’t stop there.
About 40 minutes after the driver and passenger were rescued, a group of men, including Gunbalanya officer in charge, Remote Sergeant Scott Lewis, arrived at the scene to remove the stranded vehicle.
Armed with a shotgun, Sergeant Lewis stood in the back of a Landcruiser ute as it reversed into the river, before another man jumped into the croc-infested waters, where a man was killed last year, to attach the tow ropes.
The flooded vehicle was successfully towed out, leaving the tourists with a true blue Aussie rescue tale to talk about.
“[The guests] were a bit in awe of the situation, they couldn’t believe it.”
A spokesperson for Nothern Territory Police told Yahoo7 News the “croc-spotting” officer was called to the scene after reports the car had banked up traffic on Cahills Crossing.
They were “continually frustrated” at those attempting to cross the flooded roads.
“They not only put themselves in danger, but emergency services personnel as well. Police reiterate that road users should heed the warning signs and not attempt to cross until the water recedes.
“If it’s flooded, forget it.”
