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Australian fishermen rescued after sleeping on roof of stranded car 'for days' as crocodiles circled

Two men stranded for days in crocodile-infested waters in Western Australia were forced to sleep on the roof of their car
Two men stranded for days in crocodile-infested waters in Western Australia were forced to sleep on the roof of their car

Two men stranded in the outback of Australia spent four days on top of their car after finding themselves surrounded by rising waters filled with circling crocodiles.

The men were on a fishing trip in the remote Kimberley region in north-west Australia when their four-by-four became stuck in a tidal bog.

Police said a close encounter with a crocodile prompted the men – along with their dog - to stay on the roof of the vehicle and keep a constant watch for encroaching predators.

"They stayed on top of the vehicle and went through about six tides, which covered the vehicle on a number of occasions," Sergeant Mark Balfour, from Broome police, told ABC News.

"Obviously in the Kimberley here you've got to watch the crocs and snakes, and I believe one of the gentlemen said a croc did come close to their vehicle while they were out there, so obviously they were a bit panicky about that."

The car was stranded in a tidal lagoon
The car was stranded in a tidal lagoon

Authorities began a land and air search on Monday when the men failed to return from their weekend trip.

The pair were eventually found – dehydrated but unharmed - on Tuesday.

Police said the pair were nearing the end of their water supply  and began “crying” when they were finally rescued.

"They were quite happy to see us and obviously quite upset, crying," he said.

"Being out there for five days in this kind of country and with the weather being quite hot, I don't know what would have been going through their heads. They were quite fatigued, dehydrated and heat-struck."

Some locals believe GPS technology is prompting visitors to become more willing to depart from standard routes during their journeys across the vast isolated region – a move that is leaving increasing numbers lost and stranded.

Warren Minshull, a mechanic who has helped to rescue stranded vehicles, said he recently came across a “pretty desperate” stranded woman who was drinking salt water from a creek.

"People are getting more adventurous these days," he told ABC News.

"They can see where they're going these days so they're travelling further distances and getting stuck in places they normally wouldn't go."