The final act of a NSW doctor who was killed by a crocodile was to save his wife and mother of his three children, friends say.
David Hogbin, 40, from Newcastle was on holiday with his family when he fell into the Annan River south of Cooktown in Far North Queensland.
Remains found inside the animal, which was caught and euthanised yesterday, were confirmed to be Hogbin, who had been missing since he fell into the river on Saturday.
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The father of children aged seven, five and two, was on a family 4WD and camping trip.
A friend, who has set up a a Gofundme for the family, said Hogbin fell into the river after the bank gave way, his wife Jane tried to get him out.
“Due to the steepness and slipperiness of the bank, Jane was able to grab his arm but began slipping into the river herself,” a friend wrote.
“Dave’s final, decisive act was to let go of Jane’s arm when he realised she was slipping in, an act that likely saved her life.
“In a world-shattering instant, Dave was taken by the crocodile.
“We all miss him so much.”
It said he was “a loving and dedicated husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law and friend, and added his “enthusiasm and cheer were infectious.”
“One small consolation is that none of Dave’s children witnessed this event,” the page says.
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News Corp journalist Alexis Carey said Hodbin was her brother-in-law.
“Dave’s brave decision in that terrifying moment very likely saved his wife’s life, ensuring she was able to return to their boys,” she said.
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His wife told News Corp her husband “touched so many people’s lives that everyone deserves to know who he was and how it all ended for him”.
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