A respected doctor has been identified as the father who died after being grabbed by a crocodile in front of his wife and children while fishing on a family holiday.
David Hogbin, 40, was attacked near the Annan River Bridge, south of Cooktown in Far North Queensland, shortly after 2pm on Saturday.
He was dragged underwater by a 4.9-metre-long crocodile and the shocking incident occurred in front of his wife and children, who were nearby.
Dr Hogbin was a general practitioner working in medical centres in the Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales.
According to an online profile, his special medical interests included pediatrics and dermatology, while in his spare time he enjoyed spending time in the woods, driving 4×4 vehicles and fishing with his three sons.
After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame in 2014, she worked in real estate and nuclear medicine before her residency at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The director of Windale Community Medical Centre, where Dr Hogbin previously worked, said the community was in shock over his death.
David Hogbin, 40 (pictured), has been identified as the victim of a crocodile attack in Far North Queensland.
Dr Hogbin, a doctor from the Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, was on a family holiday at the time of the tragedy.
“We’re all still in shock as we’ve been training for him,” he told the Cairns Post.
“I have many employees who are going through difficult times.”
The crocodile was shot dead by rangers at 2pm on Monday before the carcass was handed over to police and its stomach contents 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 the remains are believed to be those of a missing 40-year-old New South Wales man,” the statement said.
Further tests will be carried out to determine the identity of the suspect. 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 upriver from where a man was swept away by a “large crocodile” while fishing with his family.
This comes after disturbing videos emerged on social media showing people throwing fish scraps or meat into the water to wait for crocodiles upriver from where the father was abducted.
“Is that the big one?” a man was heard asking.
“Yeah, it’s pretty big,” another person replied.
“Oh, there are two there!” a woman exclaimed.
A child was then heard saying “attack” moments before a crocodile appeared and took a bite of food thrown into the water.
Another video shows a crocodile swimming to the water’s edge 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 took place in the Annan River in Cooktown.
A Queensland Department of Environment and Science He said he was “very 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 their information. Reports can be made anonymously,” a spokesman said.
The 40-year-old man was attacked by a crocodile in front of his wife and children while fishing near the Annan River Bridge, south of Cooktown (pictured, a baited crocodile trap is placed in the water)
‘Feeding crocodiles on river banks or boat ramps encourages them to stay there waiting for their next meal.
‘This may expose future visitors to the area to a much greater risk of attack if they approach or enter the water.
‘People should never feed crocodiles or give them easy access to food or fish scraps.’
The department said crocodiles, which have been around for millions of years, are able to obtain their own food thanks to their highly developed sense of smell.
He added that the crocodile responsible for dragging the father underwater is believed to have “had a distinctive marking on its snout.”
The fishing spot where the father was attacked is a known habitat for the reptiles.
A Cooktown resident said the crocodile had associated people with food as some locals were feeding it roadkill from upriver.
“People throw roadkill in for him to eat, but he could have been sitting there, 15 feet under water, waiting to be fed,” they told the Cairns Post.
‘There’s been a bit of rain so the bench would have been soft and even if he hadn’t been near the edge it could have collapsed underneath him.
“It’s just horrible and everyone is feeling sorry for the family; to see that happen in front of you is unthinkable.”
Police declined to comment on speculation that members of the public had been feeding the crocodiles in the vicinity.
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