Mud crabs left strewn over road after being launched from boat in road crash

Mud crabs were left strewn across a road in Wanguri in Australia's Northern Territory after a road crash launched them out of a boat. Superintendent Del Jones said there was “a fair bit of chortling” after the crash, which left several parked vehicles damaged as the crabs made desperate dashes for freedom.

She said the crash happened after the driver, who would later return a mid-range breath alcohol reading, underestimated the width of the boat trailer which crashed into a parked car on Wanguri Tce at about 7.30pm on Sunday. “He struck the right wheel of the first car and damaged running gear, which caused the boat to come off the trailer,” Supt Jones said.



“The car then dragged the boat down the road by the winch rope, before the boat struck the second car.” The boat then struck a third car, which dislodged it completely from the trailer, and launched the crabs out onto the road. “There were initial reports of screaming ... turns out it was people laughing,” Supt Jones said.

Some of the crabs were flattened, while others were rescued. The 44-year-old driver blew .092 per cent. Supt Jones said the crash was another example of the dangers of drink-driving. The driver was given a Notice to Appear in Darwin Magistrates Court for Medium-Range drink-driving and driving without due care.