Northern Territory Police say it is lucky five people, including three children, did not become “crocodile food” when their car got stuck on a remote river crossing in Arnhem Land.
The group were trying to cross the East Alligator River at Cahills Crossing.
More than one metre of water was flowing over the crossing at the time and their four-wheel drive was quickly pinned against a rock wall.
It was nearly high tide and the water levels continued to rise.
Police and rangers had to launch a boat and pull the group out one of the car’s windows.
Brevet Sergeant Adam Russell says he spotted several large saltwater crocodiles near the car.
“There were quite a few around the area, so we weren’t too keen to get too far into the water either,” he said.
The 51-year-old man driving the car did not have a licence.
The car blocked the crossing until police were able to tow it to the nearby community of Gunbulunya on Wednesday.