Men sleep on roof of bogged ute to survive croc infested waters in WA

Two Broome men say they went into “full survival mode” during an ordeal that saw their ute bogged in croc-infested waters.

Charlie Williams

Charlie Williams, 19, and Beau Bryce-Maurice, 37, became bogged on a fishing trip north of Broome. Source: Charlie Williams

A weekend fishing trip went awry for two friends north of Broome, after they were forced to sleep on top of their bogged ute in croc-infested waters.

Charlie Williams, 19, Beau Bryce-Maurice, 37 and dog Mindee became bogged on the Dampier Peninsula on Friday, over 100km north of Broome.

After failing to dig the vehicle out they said they spent four nights camped on top of it to stay safe.
The bogged Ute north of Broome
The bogged Ute north of Broome Source: ABC Australia
Mr Williams told the there was a constant threat of snakes and crocodiles as the tide came and went.

“We could see the [crocodile’s] eyes hanging in the background,” Mr Williams said.

“The crocodile kept going for the dog, swimming around the car when the tide was up,” Mr Williams told

“It was probably a couple of metres away, quite a big croc.”
Charlie Williams, 19 who became bogged on the Dampier Peninsula
Charlie Williams, 19 who became bogged on the Dampier Peninsula Source: ABC Australia
The men said they had set up a temporary shelter to shield them from the elements, and filmed video diaries of their experience, fearful that they wouldn’t be rescued.

“To tell you the truth, it was like slow human torture,” Mr Bryce-Maurice told the ABC.

“[We were] sleep deprived, malnourished, dehydrated, really, really, really hot and [there were] a billion mosquitos.”

The ABC reports the men had just 2.5 litres of water and a few lollies when they were found by rescuers five days after being bogged.

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2 min read
Published 23 November 2017 6:52pm
Updated 23 November 2017 6:59pm
By SBS News
Source: SBS

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