A man has been recognized as a hero after he saved his wife’s life but was tragically killed by a 16ft crocodile.
Dr. Dave Hogbin, 40, was on a camping trip in Queensland with his family when the incident occurred.
A section of the riverbank gave way, causing Dave to fall into the crocodile-infested waters.
His family mentioned in a statement that the conditions prevented him from getting out of the water ‘despite being tall, strong and fit’.
His wife, Jane, tried to help but found herself stuck in the riverbank’s mud.
There was a serious risk that if he had held onto her arm, she too would have been pulled into the water.
In a heartbreaking and selfless final act, Dave let go of Jane’s arm to prevent her from being dragged in with him.
Moments later, he was killed by a crocodile.
Jane reflected: “We were just enjoying a standard day of our holiday and everything just changed within 30 seconds. He wasn’t doing anything wrong – in fact, he was doing everything right, and this still happened…
“He saved me – his last act was to not pull me in with him.”
She continued: “I have a lot of comfort in knowing there’s nothing that I’m frustrated or angry about – he was just walking around a corner on a well-worn path.
“There’s no regrets about it, because it’s one of those random accidents that happen and nothing could have been done to prevent.”
She added: “We want people to know how brave he was – he was a hero, and the boys will always know that.
“He was being selfless in his final moment and we’re really proud of that, even though it was putting him in danger.
“We’re going to miss him, he can’t be replaced, and we’re super proud of him. It brings us some comfort to know that in the last years of Dave’s life, he had never been happier.”
Journalist Alexis Carey, who is Dave’s sister-in-law, paid tribute to him on news.com.au.
She said: “Dave’s final, decisive act was to let go of Jane’s arm when he realised she was falling in, despite knowing she was his only lifeline. Within moments, he was taken.
“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 also mentioned that it was a ‘small piece of consolation’ that the couple’s children did not witness their father’s final moments.
Wildlife rangers later euthanized a 16ft crocodile found around 2.5 miles from the site of the incident.
A GoFundMe page has been created to assist the family with the financial burdens following Dave’s passing.