Police probe Springvale man’s death after being bashed while camping in Gippsland
Homicide Squad detectives are trying to track down dozens of campers who may have witnessed a Springvale man being fatally bashed at a campsite in Gippsland last week.
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A deadly dispute over a dog may be the reason a man seeking solitude in the bush was fatally bashed at a camping ground in Gippsland.
Homicide squad detectives are probing the death of a 49-year-old Springvale man in Noojee, north of Warragul, on Sunday.
Investigators believe the victim travelled to the Toorongo Falls camping ground on Monday June 15 and planned to camp there for a number of days.
They are canvassing for information from dozens of people who camped at the site over the weekend.
Father-of-two David “Chook” Crouch has been identified as the man killed in Noojee.
His best mate Andrew Wolf said he was a “great guy” who was a loyal friend.
“He was tough as nuts, he refused to give up,” Mr Wolf said.
“He was a good, honest, knockabout bloke.
“He was a great dad, people say that about the deceased but he was genuinely a great dad.
“David would go without food because he wanted to treat his daughters.”
Mr Wolf and Mr Crouch were mates through their days playing cricket.
Mr Crouch was unemployed at the time of his death and had broken up from his partner.
He had gone camping to enjoy a week of solitude.
Detectives believe he was assaulted by other campers sometime late on Friday evening or early Saturday morning following an altercation, possibly relating to the Mr Crouch’s dog.
It is understood the assault was witnessed by a number of people.
About 9pm that day, the victim and a Langwarrin man drove to the Noojee Hotel in Noojee.
“Staff at the hotel were so concerned for the man’s condition that medical assistance was sought, however the man refused the assistance and the pair left the hotel and returned to the campsite,” police said.
On Sunday, the pair returned to the hotel seeking medical assistance after Mr Crouch became disoriented.
Paramedics treated him at the venue and he died in an ambulance on route to hospital.
Investigators are trying to piece together how Mr Crouch died and a post mortem will be conducted to determine his cause of death.
Police have released pictures of the victim’s vehicle and his campsite in the hope people may recognise them.
Homicide squad boss Detective Inspector Tim Day said the assault appeared to be unprovoked.
“We know that people witnessed the incident and those people will be able to assist us in identifying those responsible for the assault,” Det Insp Day said.
“We are asking for anyone who camped at the Toorongo Falls campground between June 15 and June 22 to please contact Crime Stoppers and register your details.
“Police are also asking anyone who may have seen the victim at the Noojee Hotel on either Saturday or Sunday evenings or witnessed the assault to contact police.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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