In a sorrowful turn of events in Melbourne, Australia, police disclosed on Tuesday that human remains were discovered inside a large crocodile, the very creature suspected of causing the death of a tourist in the country’s second fatal attack in almost a month.
The victim, identified as 40-year-old Dr. Dave Hogbin, who hailed from Newcastle, New South Wales, fell from a steep bank into the Annan River located south of Cooktown in Queensland state on Saturday. Dr. Hogbin, a general practice doctor, was on a camping vacation in Queensland with his wife, Jane, and their three young sons, aged 2, 5, and 7 years. From their home in Newcastle, Cooktown is situated roughly 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles) away by road.
On Monday, wildlife rangers euthanized a 4.9-meter (16-foot) crocodile in a creek, approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from where Dr. Hogbin vanished. Officials reported that the crocodile bore scars on its snout, matching the description provided by witnesses of a crocodile spotted near the disappearance site.
During an examination in Cooktown, the remains found inside the crocodile were strongly believed to be those of Dr. Hogbin, as stated by the police. Nonetheless, further testing will be undertaken to confirm the identity conclusively.
Contrary to initial reports by the police that Dr. Hogbin was fishing at the time, his family clarified that he was walking along a riverbank path, 5 meters (16 feet) above the river, when a portion of the bank gave way, leading to his fall into the river below.
The family’s statement detailed the harrowing incident: “It caused Dave to fall down into the river below, and despite being tall, strong, and fit, the conditions of the terrain meant Dave was unable to get himself out of the water.” Jane, having heard the splash, rushed to help but faced the steep and slippery bank. She managed to grasp his arm, but soon felt herself slipping.
In a heart-wrenching decision, Dr. Hogbin released Jane’s arm to prevent her from falling in with him, even though she was his only lifeline. Within moments, the crocodile attacked. Jane later expressed her gratitude, stating, “He saved me – his last act was to not pull me in with him. I’m glad I’m still here because it could have been a millionfold worse for everyone involved, not just the boys.”
Family friend Alex Ward noted that a small consolation was that the couple’s three children did not witness the tragedy as it unfolded.
Dr. Hogbin’s fall occurred at a notorious location known as Crocodile Bend, a spot frequented by tourists drawn by the sight of large crocodiles.
Police Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes conveyed to the press that he believed Dr. Hogbin’s fall was accidental.
This tragic event follows the horrific incident on July 2, where a 12-year-old girl was seized while swimming with her family in a creek in the neighboring Northern Territory. Wildlife rangers later found her remains and euthanized a 4.2-meter (14-foot) crocodile responsible for the attack.
Australia has suffered three fatal crocodile attacks this year alone, nearing the grim record of four fatalities in 2014. Earlier this year, on April 18, a 16-year-old boy was killed while swimming off a Queensland island.
The crocodile population across Australia’s tropical north has surged since the early 1970s, when protection measures were put in place. Prior to these protections, extensive hunting for crocodile skins during the 1950s had pushed the species to the brink of extinction.
