The final heartbreaking act of a Newcastle doctor taken by a crocodile may have spared his wife from a similar fate, a fundraiser for the "much loved" medical practitioner has revealed.
David Hogbin, 40, has been identified as the man taken by a crocodile in Far North Queensland while on holidays with his family.
It's believed he was walking along a path with his wife and children at Annan River Bridge, near Cooktown, on Saturday afternoon when he fell into the water, failing to resurface.
A GoFundMe for his family states the portion of the bank Dr Hogbin was standing on collapsed beneath him.
His wife Jane heard the splash and slid down to try and pull him out. She was able to grab his arm, but due to the steepness and slipperiness of the bank, she slipped into the river.
"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," the fundraiser stated.
"In a world-shattering instant, Dave was taken by the crocodile. One small consolation is that none of Dave's children witnessed this event."
Queensland Police have confirmed human remains were found inside a crocodile at Cooktown after it was humanely killed on Monday.
Rangers had targeted the crocodile with a distinctive scar near its snout as an extensive search for a NSW man near Cooktown lasted three days.
Dave remembered for infectious enthusiasm and cheer
Tributes have begun to flow in for the well respected doctor.
His friend Alex Ward, who initiated the GoFundMe, said Dr Hogbin's "enthusiasm and cheer were infectious", especially when he was on 4WD and camping adventures with his family and friends.
"Dave had achieved something that we will all strive to emulate; he realised before it was too late that he had everything he needed in life in his family, friends, and the time they were able to enjoy together," Mr Ward stated.
"It was a mutual love and discovery of 4WDing that brought me so close to Dave, and I'm not sure if I can do it without him - which he would scoff at and tell me to get back out there and continue the adventurous legacy he has created for his boys."
More than $26,000 has been raised in a matter of hours, with hundreds of people donating to the cause.
"This page has been set up, with the permission of Dave's immediate family, to benefit Dave's wife, Jane, and his three boys," Mr Ward said.
"The goal is to try to take away some of the immediate financial burden associated with such tragic events and support them while they try to navigate life without Dave.
"Any small amount or simply a message of support will be incredibly valued."
'He saved me': wife releases statement
In a statement, his wife Jane Hogbin wanted people to know how brave her husband was.
"He was a hero, and the boys will always know that," she told News Corp.
"He was being selfless in his final moment and we're really proud of that, even though it was putting him in danger.
"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."
Ms Hogbin said contrary to early reports, her husband wasn't fishing from the bank, he was simply walking along a "well-worn path".
"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," she said.
"Things can change so quickly in an instant despite doing everything right.
"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 it."
Ms Hogbin said her husband "touched so many people's lives" and everyone deserved to know who he was, even in his final moments.
"I want to put a face to this tragedy - someone didn't just get killed by a crocodile, we have lost a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, friend and doctor," she said.
"I want them to know how dedicated he was as a father - he always jokingly offered to be a stay-at-home dad and never work again, because they were his number one priority.
"Dave was just the most calming, grounding person to have around in a crisis, and he was so loving, thoughtful, handsome, fiercely loyal and protective, and intelligent."
Jane, Dave's devastated parents Kym and Peter and siblings Chris, Mike and Bec want to thank the emergency services teams for their efforts in the search and rescue operation, and for their incredible support since Saturday.
"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," she said.
"We'd now ask for some privacy as we navigate this unthinkable tragedy."
Hunter medical community mourns
Dr Hogbin was a doctor at Jewells Medical Centre and previously worked at the Windale Community Medical Centre.
The region's medical sector has been shocked by the news.
Dr Milton Sales, a senior Newcastle doctor and stalwart of the region's GP sector, said Dr Hogbin's death was "tragic and terrible".
"We're a bit numb by the whole thing," Dr Sales said.
"It's hard to imagine the trauma and distress the family is going through, plus all his colleagues and friends.
"You don't expect it to happen to someone in their prime, with a family and small children, who contributed greatly to the community."
Dr Sales said Dr Hogbin was "much loved within his practice".
Staff at the Jewells Medical Centre were "devastated".
"He had a strong following from his patients and was much loved by his community," Dr Sales said.
He said the "horror of what happened is just terrible".
Police to prepare coroners report
Police said formal identification is under way, with the search and rescue operation suspended.
The reptile, understood to be almost five metres, was located in a creek 4km upstream from the suspected attack.
Police are working with wildlife officers as investigations continue. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
*With Australian Associated Press
