Sam Hyson is a former Northern Territory bush cop, who served time in Arnhem Land.
One afternoon in 2017, while locking up the police station, a couple of locals arrived with news that a man had disappeared at the infamous Cahills Crossing. He had last been seen walking across behind two women then vanished from sight.
Image by Wild Creek: Cahills Crossing.
Cahills Crossing is a 70 metre concrete causeway linking Kakadu and Arnhem Land across the East Alligator River. Subject to tidal changes, it has long been known for washing vehicles from the crossing when people take risks during higher water levels. It is also one of the most concentrated crocodile viewing locations in Australia, with large saltwater crocodiles regularly gathering around the crossing.
Image by Wild Creek: Sam Hyson reflecting on the incident.
Witnesses recalled seeing the man making his way across in knee deep water shortly before dark. Moments later, he was simply gone.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, Sam and his offsider grabbed a couple of rifles and contacted one of Kakadu's most experienced crocodile rangers, Garry Lindner. Search efforts were immediately organised on both the upstream and downstream sides of the crossing.
Garry launched a boat with Sam and another ranger and the team began searching downstream of Cahills Crossing.
Approximately two kilometres from where the man was last seen, the team located a saltwater crocodile measuring more than three metres in length. The crocodile was in possession of the deceased man. Acting quickly, Sam shot the animal, allowing the team to recover the man's remains from the river.
Image by Wild Creek: Joe, a friend of Sam.
For Sam, Garry and the others involved, the priority was recovering the deceased and returning him to his family. In incidents of this nature, bringing a loved one home can provide an important measure of closure for those left behind, even when the circumstances are tragic.
The destruction of the crocodile was also an unfortunate outcome. As a mature saltwater crocodile, it was simply behaving as crocodiles have done in northern Australia for thousands of years. However, once the animal was located in possession of the deceased, the decision to destroy it became necessary as part of the recovery operation.
Image by Wild Creek: Truck passing over Cahills Crossing
Incidents such as these also leave a lasting impression on the police, rangers and emergency responders required to attend them. While much of their work occurs away from public view, they are regularly exposed to confronting situations and difficult decisions in the course of serving remote communities.
During a still afternoon in 2025, with a wet season storm murmuring in the distance, I sat down with Sam at his tropical abode. Also present was his mate, good old Joe, who quietly listened as the conversation unfolded.
How would I describe Sam in three words: Calm, articulate and beard-clad.
If you are interested in hearing Sam's account directly, you can view our encounter here;