Dog Rescued from Croc Waters NT

Written by Australian Dog Lover 11:27:00 - 0 Comments

Man’s Best Friend winched to safety from croc-inhabited waters in remote Northern Territory

When the call came through to CareFlight’s Darwin base, the team knew this mission would be different.

A man and his beloved dog were stranded in a small vessel on the South Alligator River in the Northern Territory’s remote Kakadu National Park—a region known not just for its stunning natural beauty, but also for its extreme heat, isolation and croc-inhabited waters.

The man had activated an emergency beacon (EPIRB) after a planned trip took an unfortunate turn. Details were limited, but the urgency of the situation was clear: they were in a precarious situation and needed help.

Within minutes of the beacon being triggered, CareFlight’s Top End Rescue Helicopter, powered by Viva Energy, was deployed. Operated on behalf of the Northern Territory Government, this service provides rapid-response critical care across some of the most remote and unforgiving terrain in Australia.

Aircrew Officer Shawn Horner was part of the crew dispatched to the scene.

“From the air, you could see how isolated they were. It’s not somewhere you’d want to be stranded—there were crocs and water buffalo all around. There was no place to safely land, so a winch was our only option.”

Coordinating a helicopter winch is no small feat, and the presence of a dog added another layer of complexity.

“A winch job like this requires a huge amount of coordination,” Shawn said. “We need to make sure the aircraft is safe from trees and obstacles in the hover, at the same time, deploy the nurse with specialised equipment in a suitable – and croc-free – area, and maintain the safety of the patient and his dog all at the same time.”

"No two jobs are ever the same, and this one definitely presented its own challenges. With nowhere to safely land, crocs and water buffalo all over the area, limited fuel due to the remote location, and a dog to rescue... we had a few things to overcome. 

We definitely weren’t going to leave the dog behind, so we adapted to the situation and used our 'Child Rescue Capsule' (normally used for babies and toddlers) to recover the pup accompanied by our nurse. We then recovered the patient without issue and immediately left to refuel before taking everyone safely back to Darwin."

Flight Nurse Dean Blackney was winched down with specialised retrieval equipment, ready to assist.

“Every job is different, and we adapt as we go. In this case, we weren’t going to leave the dog behind, so we had to think on our feet. It was a high-pressure situation, but our crew were trained for it.” Dean said.

With the dog safely lifted into the aircraft, Dean was then winched back up with the man. The crew completed the mission and flew the pair back to Darwin after a brief refuel.

Neither the man nor his dog had sustained any injuries, and both appeared in good condition during the retrieval.

“This one will definitely stick with us,” Dean said. “People and their pets have an incredible bond. It was special to be able to help them both. We’re here to save lives and serve the community—sometimes that includes four-legged family members.”

Providing Lifesaving Care Across the Top End

CareFlight has operated in the Northern Territory since 2011, delivering aeromedical care across vast and often inaccessible parts of the region. The Top End Rescue Helicopter, powered by Viva Energy, responds to emergencies ranging from road trauma to remote medical evacuations, working closely with local clinics, NT Health, and emergency services.

While it’s not every day that the team is called to rescue a dog, the crew trains for all kinds of scenarios.

“That dog was more than just a companion. You could see how connected they were, and we knew from the start we’d find a way to bring them both home safely,” said Dean.

The mission also reinforces the importance of carrying and registering an EPIRB when travelling in remote areas.

“Having a beacon was a game-changer in this scenario,” said Dean. “It meant we could locate them quickly and get there before the situation became worse. In the Territory, where conditions can turn quickly, it’s essential.”

A Reminder of Preparedness — and Compassion

For the CareFlight crew, this was a textbook example of training, teamwork, and adaptability coming together to deliver a positive outcome.

But for many who hear the story, it’s the human–animal bond that resonates.

“There was no question in our minds—we were getting them both out safely,” said Dean. 

“It wasn’t just about rescuing a man in distress. That dog was his mate, his comfort, his family. And we treated him like a patient, too.”

To help CareFlight save lives and serve the community, you can donate here: careflight.org/donate-to-careflight

You can follow CareFlight Top End on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareFlightTopEnd

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