Human remains have been found inside a crocodile that wildlife officers euthanased in far north Queensland.
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 Hogbin.
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.
Mr Ward said he became friends with Dr Hogbin through four-wheel driving.
"Dave's family and friends are completely broken. But we are so incredibly lucky to have had Dave in our lives," he said.
A spokeswoman for his former employer Sonic Healthcare Australia said Dr Hogbin would be missed by colleagues and offered condolences to his family.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of this tragic event," she said.
"Dr Hogbin was widely respected and a much-loved member of the medical community.
"This is a very challenging time for our team."
Dr Hogbin had worked at several medical centres in New South Wales.
His biography at his workplace, Jewells Medical Centre, 13km south-west of Newcastle, said Dr Hogbin was a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners after qualifying in 2021.
"In his spare time, Dave enjoys four-wheel driving and camping with his wife and three boys," the biography reads.
He was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and previously worked in real estate and nuclear medicine.
He was a resident at John Hunter Hospital, trained in anaesthetics and emergency medicine, and held qualifications in skin cancer medicine and child health.
"David enjoys all aspects of general practice but is particularly interested in paediatrics, dermatology and acute care," the biography reads.
Further testing
Rangers from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation euthanised a 4.9 metre male saltwater crocodile yesterday after it was spotted four kilometres upstream from where the man disappeared.
Queensland police said the remains found within the crocodile are believed to be those of the missing man, but further testing was needed.
"Police are working with wildlife officers as investigations continue," police said.
A report will be prepared for the coroner and the search and rescue operation has been suspended.
Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Shane Holmes yesterday told the media it was unclear whether the man's family or people nearby witnessed the incident.
"I believe it was an accident when he fell into the water," he said.
"There was a sighting of the crocodile earlier on."
Superintendent Holmes offered his condolences and said Queensland Police was offering support to the family.
"If the family members were present and they had seen these events unfold we've offered, and we will continue to offer, all available support for their wellbeing," he said.
Feeding crocodiles
The Department of Environment is investigating recent videos posted online purportedly showing people throwing fish scraps to a crocodile in the vicinity where the man fell into the water.
It is not alleged the man or his family were feeding any reptiles.
In a statement, the department said it was highly concerned by the illegal behaviour and encouraged anyone with information to make a report.
Local wildlife carer and conservationist Beau Peberdy described the actions purported in the videos as "stupid" and "dangerous".
"To see people conditioning an animal to come in to feed from people, it becomes dangerous in any situation," he said.
"People I think really need to start understanding that these animals are dangerous … and doing silly or inappropriate things in and around the water's edge, it has severe consequences."
On Sunday,local fishing tackle shop owner Russell Bowman told the ABC locals knew of a crocodile that frequented that stretch of river.
"[Previously] some of the old tour operators would pick up a bit of roadkill to throw over there and coax the croc up to show the guests," Mr Bowman said.
"Sometimes locals have been a bit naughty and thrown a few fish frames over there."
But Mr Bowman had said this was partly due to filleting regulations and a lack of disposal options.
"We're not allowed to fillet fish at sea," he said.
"We have to bring them home and there's not enough bins around town to put them in."
North Queensland managing lawyer from the Environmental Defenders Office, Kirstiana Ward, said euthanasing crocodiles impacted the ecosystem, as new reptiles often filled the void.
Ms Ward has been working with Queensland's environment department to propose new offences for reckless behaviour around crocodile habitats.
"We need to improve human behaviour because we can't control crocodile behaviour," she said.
Draft laws — which would increase infringements for interfering with crocodiles and traps, and disposing of food waste in crocodile habitats — are currently with the state's environment department and minister for consideration.
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