Cops set record straight on final actions of croc attack victim
A campaign to help the family of a Far North croc victim has now raised an unprecedented amount in less than 24 hours as police review their position on what the Newcastle doctor was doing when he fell into the river.
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A crowd-funding campaign to help the family of a croc victim has now raised more than $80,000 as police made an updated statement on what the Newcastle doctor was doing when he fell down the bank.
David Hogbin fell down a vertical bank to water of the Annan River, an estimated 6m below, on Saturday, August 3.
In the river nearby was a 4.9m crocodile lying in wait.
For up to 30 years the apex predator that gives the area its name of Crocodile Bend has come to associate humans and the vibration of four-wheel-drive tyres on the hard-packed river bank with food, in a long history of fishermen and tour guides illegally feeding the animal fish frames and roadkill.
Good mate of the father of three, Alex Ward, set up a Gofundme page on Tuesday afternoon which in less than 24 hours has been supported by more than 900 donors to raise almost $100,000 for Mr Hogbin’s wife Jane and children.
“In a world-shattering instant, Dave was taken by the crocodile,” Mr Ward stated in the appeal.
“One small consolation is that none of Dave’s children witnessed this event (and) needless to say, Dave’s family and friends are completely broken.”
Police first stated on August 3 that “initial investigations indicate the man had been fishing on the riverbank, when he fell into the water and failed to resurface”.
However on Wednesday Queensland Police Service updated their position on the actions of Mr Hogbin prior to his death.
“Police understand the man was not fishing at the time of his disappearance, but slipped and fell into the water and failed to resurface,” a spokesman told the Cairns Post on Wednesday.
In explaining how Mr Hogbin ended up in the croc’s strike zone Mr Ward stated a section of the river bank gave way and fell into the river.
“Jane, who was nearby but not walking with Dave at the time, heard the splash and slid down to desperately try and pull him out,” he stated.
“Due to the steepness and slipperiness of the bank, Jane was able to grab his arm but began slipping into the river herself.
“Dave’s final, decisive act was to let go of Jane’s arm when he realised she was slipping in, an act that likely saved her life.”
Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers located and shot the croc thought to be responsible for the attack 4km upstream from Crocodile Bend on Monday and the following day human remains believed to be that of Mr Hogbin were found in the animal’s stomach.
Police stated investigations into the death are ongoing.
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