An Australian dad of three was killed by a crocodile as he tried to prevent his wife from being harmed, his family said.
Dave Hogbin, 40, a doctor from Newcastle, fell into crocodile-infested waters when a riverbank collapsed during a camping trip to Queensland state with his wife, Jane Hogbin, and their three young sons on Saturday.
“Despite being tall, strong and fit, the conditions of the terrain meant Dave was unable to get himself out of the water,” a statement from his family read.
While his wife tried to come to his rescue, she soon began sinking into the riverbank.
“Dave’s final, decisive act was to let go of Jane’s arm when he realized she was falling in, despite knowing she was his only lifeline. Within moments, he was taken,” the statement added.
His heartbroken wife now hopes to put a face to the tragedy.
“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,” she said.
Their children, ages 2, 5 and 7, did not witness the incident unfold, family friend Alex Ward said.
The father of three fell at a location known as Crocodile Bend, popular amongst tourists looking to see large crocodiles, News.com.au reported.
Wildlife rangers euthanized a 16-foot crocodile in a creek about 2.5 miles away from where Hogbin disappeared. Authorities discovered human remains inside the creature belong to him, police said in a statement.
Hogbin’s death comes after a 12-year-old girl was snatched while swimming with her family in a creek in the neighboring Northern Territory on July 2. Her remains were found days later and wildlife rangers shot dead a 14-foot crocodile.
There have been three fatal crocodile attacks in Australia this year.
With Post wires.
