Crocodile attack victim identified as ‘incredible’ doctor, father of three

Newcastle doctor and father of three David Hogbin has been identified as the victim of a crocodile attack in a Far North Queensland river.

The 40-year-old was walking along the bank of the Annan River near Cooktown, when his wife Jane heard a splash and rushed to his aid, friend of the family Alex Ward said.

Crocodile attack victim David Hogbin and his family.

Ward shared the tragic story in a GoFundMe appeal, saying Jane jumped down the bank of the river to try to pull him out, but began falling into the water 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. In a world-shattering instant, Dave was taken by the crocodile,” he said.

“One small consolation is that none of Dave’s children witnessed this event.”

Ward said the family had been enjoying a 4WD and camping trip in Far North Queensland.

Dave Hogbin with wife Jane.

“Needless to say, Dave’s family and friends are completely broken. But we are so incredibly lucky to have had Dave in our lives.”

In a statement to news.com.au, Hogbin’s wife said her husband was not doing anything wrong when the tragedy unfolded, and credited him for saving her life.

“Dave was just the most calming, grounding person to have around in a crisis, and he was so loving, thoughtful, handsome, fiercely loyal and protective, and intelligent,” she said.

Hogbin was working as a GP at Jewells Medical Centre south of Newcastle. He completed his residency at John Hunter Hospital, and was trained in dermatology and paediatrics.

Hogbin was on a 4WD camping trip with family when he was killed in the crocodile attack.

Following Hogbin’s death, Queensland authorities have called for an end to a local practice of feeding crocodiles in the Annan River.

After an extensive search for the crocodile, which is well known by Cooktown locals, the animal was found in a creek four kilometres upstream of where the man went missing.

The crocodile had distinct markings on its snout consistent with those on the animal involved in the attack.

The crocodile was killed, and human remains were found in its stomach. Further testing will be conducted to confirm the identity; however, police believe they are Hogbin’s remains.

The area of the Annan River near where Hogbin was killed is known by locals as “crocodile bend”. Several locals told this masthead the section of the river was an almost guaranteed crocodile watching spot.

Riverbend Tours Cooktown operator Nick Davidson runs boat tours of the Endeavour River. He said locals would often throw roadkill and dead fish from the bridge, which gets snapped up by a resident crocodile.

“It’s a truly frightening situation, it’s the stuff of nightmares … it’s definitely rocked the town,” he said.

Davidson said the resident crocodile had been spotted by locals for decades, and estimated to be as old as 60.

The boat ramp below the Annan River bridge.Credit: Google Maps

Videos have emerged on social media showing a crocodile jumping out of the river to snap up fish carcasses thrown by locals. A spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation urged anyone with information about deliberate crocodile feeding to report it.

“Feeding of crocodiles at riverbanks or boat ramps encourages them to hang around, waiting for their next meal. This can place future visitors to the area at a much greater risk of attack if they approach or enter the water,” the spokesperson said.

“People should never feed crocodiles or give easy access to food or fish scraps. Crocodiles have been around for millions of years, and they can source their own food.”

The penalty for deliberately feeding a wild crocodile in Queensland is a $6452 fine.

Senior Sergeant Greg Finucane said on Sunday that a large crocodile had been spotted in the area where the man went missing.

“Condolences go to the family who are obviously very traumatised at the moment,” he said.

A spokesperson from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said Cooktown was known as “Croc Country” and warned visitors to expect crocodiles in all northern and far northern Queensland waterways.

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