Cooktown crocodile attack: David Hogbin identified as victim
A respected doctor is the father who died after being eaten by a crocodile in front of his wife and children during a family vacation.
David Hogbin, 40, was attacked just after 2pm on Saturday afternoon near the Annan River bridge, south of Cooktown, in Far North Queensland.
He was dragged underwater by the 4.9-metre-long crocodile and the shocking incident unfolded in front of his wife and children, who were standing nearby.
Doctor Hogbin was a general practitioner who worked in medical centres in the Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales.
According to an online profile, his medical interests were primarily in pediatrics and dermatology. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time in the bush, driving a four-wheel drive, and fishing with his children.
After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2014, he worked in real estate and nuclear medicine before training at the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The practice manager of Windale Community Medical Centre, where Dr Hogbin previously worked, said the community was shocked by his death.
David Hogbin, 40, (pictured) has been identified as a victim of a crocodile attack in Far North Queensland
Dr Hogbin, a doctor in the Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales, was on a family holiday at the time of the tragedy
“We are all still in shock about the way we trained him,” she told the Cairns Post.
‘I have many employees who are having a hard time at the moment.’
The crocodile was shot dead by park rangers at 2pm on Monday, after which the carcass was handed over to police and the contents of its stomach were examined.
Queensland police released a statement on Tuesday saying human remains had been found inside the predator.
“A formal identification process is underway but it is believed the remains are those of a missing 40-year-old NSW man,” a statement said.
‘Further tests will be conducted to determine a positive identity. The search and rescue operation has been suspended.
‘Police are working with conservationists as the investigation continues.’
Disturbing footage has emerged showing people feeding crocodiles upstream from where Dr Hogbin was dragged down the river by a “large crocodile” while fishing with his family.
This comes after disturbing videos have emerged on social media showing people throwing fish or meat scraps into the water to wait for crocodiles upstream from where the father was abducted.
“Is that the big one?” a man was heard to ask.
“Yes. He’s quite big,” another person replied.
“Oh, there are two of them!” a woman exclaimed.
A child was then heard shouting “attack” just before a crocodile surfaced and snapped at the food thrown into the water.
Another video showed 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 not known when the video was taken, but feeding is believed to have taken place at the Annan River in Cooktown.
A department of Queensland for Environment and Science said he was “very concerned” about 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 spokesperson said.
Dr. Hogbin was attacked by a crocodile in front of his wife and children while fishing at the bridge on the Annan River, south of Cooktown (pictured is a baited crocodile trap placed in the water)
‘If you feed crocodiles on the bank of a river or on a boat ramp, they will hang around longer and wait for their next meal.
‘This puts future visitors to the area at much greater risk of attack when approaching or entering the water.
‘People should never feed crocodiles or allow them access to food or fish scraps.’
According to the department, crocodiles, which have existed for millions of years, are able to forage for themselves thanks to their highly developed sense of smell.
It added that the crocodile that dragged the father underwater “has a distinctive marking on its snout.”
The fishing spot where Dr. Hogbin was attacked is a known habitat for the reptiles.
A Cooktown resident claimed the crocodile associated humans with food because locals fed it roadkill further upstream.
“People throw a dead animal into the water for it to eat. It could be that the animal has been sitting there 15 feet under water waiting for food,” they told the Cairns Post.
‘We’ve had a little rain, so the bank is soft. Even if he wasn’t at the edge, the bank could still go under him.
“It’s just terrible and everyone is with the family. It’s unthinkable to see something like this happen before your eyes.”
Police declined to comment on suspicions that people in the area were feeding crocodiles.