Authorities have found human remains inside a massive crocodile, believed to be from Dr. David Hogbin, a father of three from New South Wales, Australia, following a fatal crocodile attack near the Annan River in Far North Queensland.
Hogbin, 40, was on a caravan trip with his wife, Jane, and their children when he fell into the river on Saturday. Police believe a portion of the riverbank gave way, causing him to fall into the water, where a crocodile had been spotted earlier. Despite his wife’s desperate attempts to save him, he was taken by the crocodile.
The search for Hogbin’s remains ended on Monday when wildlife officers tracked and killed the 16-foot crocodile about 2 miles upstream from the site of the attack. Human remains discovered inside the crocodile are believed to be those of Hogbin, pending formal identification.
Hogbin, a general practitioner at Jewells Medical Centre near Belmont, Newcastle, was remembered fondly by his colleagues and patients. His medical career was marked by a dedication to pediatrics, dermatology and acute care. He was known for his infectious enthusiasm, particularly for four-wheel driving and camping adventures with his family.
Hogbin’s friend Alex Ward has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support his wife and their three children through the loss of their husband and father. Ward praised Hogbin’s devotion to his family and his adventurous spirit, saying that the funds raised will help alleviate the immediate financial burdens faced by the family.
Ward said that Jane was nearby but not walking with David when the bank slipped. She heard the splash and rushed to help. She managed to grab his arm but began slipping into the river herself. In a final act of selflessness, Hogbin let go of her arm to save her from falling in, which Ward said likely saved her life.
“We all miss him so much but are also immensely grateful for the love and support that we have been inundated with,” Ward wrote on the fundraising page.
The page had raised more than $55,000 Australian dollars ($35,000 USD) as of Tuesday.
In a statement on Monday, Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes extended condolences to the Hogbin family and confirmed that a report would be prepared for the coroner.
The incident has sparked criticism from environmental officials and wildlife carers regarding the illegal feeding of crocodiles in the area. Videos circulating on social media show people throwing roadkill into the river, a practice condemned as “risky and reckless” by Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation (DESI) officials. Feeding crocodiles is illegal and can result in significant fines, with local wildlife carer Beau Peberdy stressing the dangers of conditioning animals to associate humans with food.
