As Australians, we're no strangers to the oddities that can come with living in a diverse land.

From kangaroos hopping down suburban streets to finding snakes in the oddest of places, we've seen it all—or so we thought.


A recent incident involving a Queensland mechanic named Dean and an overheated car might take the cake for the most bizarre find yet.

Dean, a tradie with years of experience under his belt, encountered something entirely new when a car was towed into his garage this week.

The vehicle had been struggling on the flood-affected roads of North Queensland and was in dire need of a check-up.


As Dean inspected the car, he stumbled upon a sight that left him gobsmacked.

Lodged against the radiator fan was a large, deceased mullet.

A fish somehow made its way into the inner workings of the car.

The Townsville-based vehicle owner was adamant she hadn't driven through floodwaters.

Yet, the aquatic hitchhiker told a different story.


'I put the car up on the hoist, and that's when I found it,' Dean recounted in an interview. 'A whole, g****** fish.'

'The fish actually stopped the fan from rotating, which explains why it was overheating.'

'There were a lot of scales on the ground, and I had to pull it all out; it was quite disgusting, actually,' Dean recounted.

'I've seen a lot of weird things, but I've never seen that,' he joked.

The fishy situation should be a stark reminder of the dangers of driving through floodwaters.

Not only can it lead to unexpected passengers, but it could also pose serious risks to both the vehicle and the driver.


Dean's discovery came after the ongoing floodwaters in northern Queensland.

Authorities warned of potential further evacuations as thousands remain without power.

The floods wreaked havoc on infrastructures, with the Kratzman Bridge getting washed away and isolating communities.

Watch Dean's video here:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the flood-affected areas, including Townsville, to assess the damage and pledge federal support.

The Australian Defence Force has also been deployed to assist in relief operations.

Health authorities are on high alert due to the increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases, and there have been disturbing reports of looting in evacuated areas.

Dean's unexpected find was a reminder that in times of natural disaster, the unexpected can and will happen.
We would love to hear from you! Have you ever encountered something unexpected in your car during your travels? Share your stories in the comments below!