Tuesday, August 06, 2024

A gruesome way to die

When I hear of someone being taken by a crocodile in North Australia, my initial reaction is usually to think they were probably doing something dangeroous that they shouldn't have been doing.  Going for a swim in a dangerous spot, fishing close to the murky water's edge - something like that.

But the latest victim - wow, I feel for his wife - and it's like it's out of a movie:

Police say Newcastle man and GP David Hogbin, 40, was with family members when he fell into the Annan River near Cooktown and failed to resurface on Saturday.

A police spokesperson said it was understood Mr Hogbin was not fishing at the time of his disappearance.

Friend Alex Ward, who started a GoFundMe fundraiser for the family, wrote that the family was walking on an "established path" on the riverbank when it gave way under Dr Hobkin.

He said his wife Jane heard the splash and tried to help 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," the post reads.

"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."

It was then he was taken by the crocodile.

"One small consolation is that none of Dave's children witnessed this event," the post reads.

 

 

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