28-07-2025
Frightening moment massive beast emerges from the water after four-wheel-drive tried to cross flooded weir
Shocking footage has emerged of a massive crocodile getting stuck underneath a ute at an infamous flooded crossing in the Northern Territory.
Matteo Mastratisi filmed the terrifying incident while parked at one end of Cahills Crossing in Kakadu National Park on Sunday around 12pm.
The Northern Territory resident had been waiting over two hours for the tide to go down to make the crossing himself when he spotted the driver of the black 4WD make a go for it.
He explained the crocodile was not visible because the water was high.
The footage showed the animal being dragged through the water as its jaw popped up by the vehicle's rear tyres.
As the vehicle slowly drove through the water, it could be seen struggling to move forward while the huge reptile wrestled to get free.
The driver edged forward onto the verge at the other side of the crossing before reversing slightly, allowing the crocodile to break free.
On the right side of the ute, the crocodile poked his head up before rapidly swimming away.
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'You could see him hit a bump,' he told Yahoo News. 'You could definitely tell they had no idea what they were driving over until that monster came from underneath.'
'It was definitely a rare, bizarre moment,' Mr Mastratisi, who hosts dance workshops in remote communities with his company Break'n Barrierz.
He explained the driver of the ute did the 'sensible thing' by slowing driving through the water and not stopping despite the encounter with the crocodile.
Mr Mastratisi said the vehicle could have easily been dragged into the water if the driver had stopped just a few seconds later.
'There's not much else he could have done. I'm definitely not going to get out of the car and check what's under the car in croc-infested waters.'
Mr Mastratisi said he's not sure if the driver of the ute got out of the 4WD to check what had happened because he had to move his own vehicle.
He noted the crocodile survived the encounter unscathed and he spotted the fierce animal 'chilling in the water' next to the crossing when he drove past.
The dance teacher said the animal seemed 'annoyed' at being dragged through the water, but not hurt in anyway.
Mr Mastratisi's footage of the shocking incident has racked up over one million views across his social media platforms, with many concerned about the crocodile.
'Glad they are such tough creatures,' one viewer commented.
'I crossed this a minute before this fella and the water was fast flowing and deep! Poor croc didn't know what was happening! Imagine the story he tells his mates,' another quipped.
'No way haha!!!! Cahills crossing strikes again,' a third wrote.
Cahills Crossing is an infamous feeding ground for crocodiles in Kakadu National Park.
This is due to an abundance of fish moving upstream at the crossing during high-tide.
