A popular tour operator has warned families fishing and picnicking near a well-known river crossing that a deadly crocodile attack is “about to happen”.
Cyaround Australia Tours shared astonishing footage of a group fishing just metres away from at least 10 crocodiles at Cahills Crossing in Kakadu National Park, 285km east of Darwin, on Tuesday.
“I have been visiting Cahills Crossing frequently for about six years,” the operator began.
‘During that time I’ve seen some absolutely crazy things happen here, with people brazenly risking their lives in close proximity to multiple large saltwater crocodiles.
‘Everything from people walking their children and dogs down the street during low tide to people slipping while trying to catch a fish while a large crocodile is chasing them.’
The frustrated tour operator watched in horror as a family with young children fished in murky waters, oblivious to the deadly dangers lurking below.
“This family was literally having a picnic in the street with the kids constantly at the water’s edge and absolutely zero crocodile sense,” they fumed.
‘At that time there were about ten large crocodiles visible within 50 metres of them and probably another 25 crocodiles that we couldn’t see at that time.
Cyaround Australia Tours called the group to fish at Cahills Crossing in Kakadu National Park, 285km east of Darwin, on Tuesday
The frustrated tour operator said he watched in horror as a family fished just metres away from at least 10 crocodiles.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but it’s only a matter of time until we have another fatality here and it’s witnessed by hundreds of people.”
Cahills Crossing is only a few metres wide, but is considered one of Australia’s most dangerous bodies of water because it is home to around 120 crocodiles, some of which are up to five metres long.
The speech ended with a call to tourists not to ruin the beauty of the Northern Territory for others.
“I love working here and have built my life around it. I don’t want places like this to close,” the operator wrote.
‘Parents! Please! When travelling to the Top End, beware of crocodiles!’
‘Teach your children about the dangers of crocodiles and we can all enjoy the natural wonder that is Cahills Crossing for many years to come.’
Many viewers agreed, calling for the parents to be fined while criticising tourists for failing to educate themselves adequately about the dangers of crocodiles.
“The truth is that people have completely lost their perspective of the wild. This is total madness and unacceptable in every way,” wrote one.
Another added: “I know very little about this place compared to people like you, however, this is one of the stupidest things I have ever seen on the internet.”
“OMG I can’t believe what some parents do… This is so scary,” wrote another.
Viewers called for the parents to be fined and criticised tourists for failing to adequately inform themselves about the dangers of crocodiles.
Others were shocked to see the group so comfortable in crocodile-infested waters just weeks after a father was attacked in front of his wife.
David Hogbin, 40, died after being caught by a crocodile in the Annan River, south of Cooktown in Far North Queensland, on August 3. He had been on holiday in the region with his wife and three children.
The crocodile was shot dead by rangers at 2pm the following Monday.
Queensland Police later released a statement revealing that human remains had been found inside the predator.
Cahills Crossing has also been plagued by tragedies in the past: a man died in 2017 after attempting to cross the dangerous area on foot.
In 1987, 40-year-old Kerry McLoughlin was decapitated by a crocodile while fishing in the area.
And in 2021, a group of tourists were forced to swim in crocodile-infested waters after their Subaru Forester got stuck in the river.
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