Mechanic finds unusual culprit for car overheating in Townsville

Australian mechanic Dean has encountered his fair share of surprises on the job, but nothing quite like what rolled into his garage this week.

A car was brought to him due to it overheating after battling flooded north Queensland roads. On inspecting underneath the car, what he found tucked away against the radiator fan had the seasoned mechanic doing a double take.

When the car was brought in on a tow-truck on Monday afternoon to the Townsville workshop, the owner claimed she hadn't driven through floodwaters, but Dean said there was one key giveaway that likely debunked that.

"I put the car up on the hoist and that's when I found it," Dean told Yahoo News Australia. What he found, stuck in the underneath of the vehicle with only its tail visible, was in fact a large, deceased mullet.

"A whole god-damn fish," Dean said, bemused. "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."

The Queenslander said the incident perfectly highlights yet another reason why motorists should never drive through floodwaters. He branded the discovery simply one of a kind.

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

Dean's fishy fright follows another man's incredible, metre-long catch elsewhere in Townsville, just days ago. As a nearby dam overflowed, a local fisher found a small silver lining.

This incident, while entertaining, comes as the northern parts of the state continue to grapple with intense floodwaters. Authorities warned residents there may still be further evacuations, as thousands remain without power.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited flood-affected areas on Thursday, including Townsville, expressing concerns over the condition of the Bruce Highway and pledging federal support for recovery efforts. The Australian Defence Force has also been deployed to assist in relief operations.

The floods have caused significant damage to infrastructure, with roads and bridges washed away, leaving some communities cut off.

The Kratzman Bridge has been heavily impacted, making it difficult to transport supplies. Emergency services are working to deliver essential goods and restore power to affected areas.

Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation due to an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis and dengue fever. There have also been reports of looting in evacuated areas, prompting police to increase patrols to prevent theft and maintain order. Authorities have urged residents to report any suspicious activity and remain vigilant.