A respected doctor has been identified as the father who died after being eaten by a crocodile in front of his wife and kids while fishing during a family holiday.
David Hogbin, 40, was attacked near the bridge at Annan River, south of Cooktown, in Far North Queensland, just after 2pm on Saturday.
He was dragged under the water by the 4.9m long crocodile with the shocking incident unfolding in front of his wife and children as they stood nearby.
Dr Hogbin was a general practitioner who has worked at several medical centres in NSW’s Lake Macquarie region. He was currently employed at Jewells Medical Centre.
According to an online profile, his special medical interests included paediatrics and dermatology while in his spare time he enjoyed spending time in the bush, four-wheel-driving and fishing with his children.
After completing his degree at University of Notre Dame in 2014, he worked in real estate and nuclear medicine before taking up a residency at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The practice manager of Windale Community Medical Centre, where Dr Hogbin was formerly employed, said the community was shaken by his death.
David Hogbin, 40, (pictured) has been identified as the victim of a crocodile attack in Far North Queensland
Dr Hogbin, a doctor in NSW’s Lake Macquarie region, had been on a family holiday at the time of the tragedy
‘We are all still in a lot of shock as we trained him,’ she told the Cairns Post.
‘I have a lot of staff that are struggling at the moment.’
The crocodile was shot and killed by wildlife rangers at 2pm on Monday before the carcass was handed to police and the contents of its stomach examined.
Queensland Police released a statement on Tuesday revealing that human remains had been found inside the predator.
‘A formal identification process is underway, however it is believed the remains are those of a missing 40-year-old NSW man,’ a statement read.
‘Further testing will be conducted to determine a positive identity. The search and rescue operation has been suspended.
‘Police are working with wildlife officers as investigations continue.’
Disturbing footage has emerged showing people feeding crocodiles upstream from where Dr Hogbin was dragged under by a ‘large croc’ while fishing with his family
It comes as disturbing videos emerged on social media showing people throwing fish or meat scraps into the water for awaiting crocodiles upstream from where the father was snatched.
‘Is that the big one?’ a man was heard asking.
‘Yeah. He’s pretty big,’ another person responded.
‘Oh, there’s two there!’ a woman exclaimed.
A child was then heard saying ‘attack’ just moments before a crocodile surfaced and snapped at the food thrown into the water.
In another video, a crocodile was seen swimming up to the edge of the water and eating a large fish on the riverbank.
‘What a pig,’ the woman said. ‘I think he just said “thank you”.’
It is unknown when the video was taken but it is understood the feeding happened at the Annan River in Cooktown.
A Queensland Department of Environment and Science said it was ‘highly concerned’ by the videos.
‘It is illegal to feed crocodiles in Queensland, and anyone with information about the deliberate feeding of crocodiles is encouraged to call 1300 130 372 and report the information. Reports can be made anonymously,’ a spokesman said.
Dr Hogbin was attacked by a crocodile in front of his wife and children while fishing near the bridge at Annan River, south of Cooktown (pictured, baited croc trap is put into the water)
‘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.
‘People should never feed crocodiles or give easy access to food or fish scraps.’
The department said crocodiles, which have been around for millions of years, are able to source their own food with their highly developed sense of smell.
It added the crocodile responsible for dragging the father underwater was ‘believed to have a distinctive marking on its snout’.
The fishing spot, where Dr Hogbin was attacked, is a well-known habitat for the reptiles.
A Cooktown resident claimed the crocodile had associated people with food as some locals were feeding it roadkill further upstream.
‘People throw roadkill in for it to eat and he could have been sitting there 15ft under the water waiting for a feed,’ they told the Cairns Post.
‘We have had a bit of rain so the bank would be soft and even if he wasn’t near the edge it could have fallen away beneath him.
‘It’s just horrendous and everyone is feeling about the family, to watch that happen in front of you is unthinkable.’
Police declined to comment on speculation that members of the public had been feeding crocodiles in the vicinity.
