FAMILY LEFT IN SHOCK
Keen fisherman an ‘ amazing man’ loved by all
IT IS the ultimate man versus monster photo.
The four- metre saltwater crocodile, apparently shot dead and strung up by the jaws, towers over an unidentified fluoro- shirted male farm worker near Innisfail’s South Johnstone River.
He holds a rear claw of the giant predator, and in a throwback to trophy hunting days, the young man, who is not believed to have had anything to do with the crocodile’s death, appears to be dwarfed by the size and scale of the huge beast.
Environment officials last night launched an investigation to confirm if the crocodile was the latest to be illegally killed – or if it was one of four crocs known to have been shot or caught on baited steel hooks two weeks ago.
The new image, posted on social media, came with the caption “pulled from the South Johnstone River”.
It had been shared more than 2000 times with 580 comments before it was deleted from Facebook last night.
There have been three fatal attacks in three years, and six deaths in Queensland since 2008, by crocodile attack. “A DEDICATED father, husband and grandfather” – that’s how Edward “Eddie” Greenwood will be remembered by his family.
Eddie and his friend Michael Allen died while on a fishing trip on Friday morning, when it’s believed their 4.5m tinnie hit rocks and overturned at Magnetic Island.
The 66- year- old leaves behind his wife Mary, sons Corey and Vince, daughter Paula and granddaughter Charlie Jade, as well as son- in- law Robert.
Vince said his dad was an amazing man who loved his family.
“He was dedicated to everyone especially his granddaughter, Charlie Jade,” he said. “He loved his fishing too.” Vince said his father was a fantastic fisherman who enjoyed chasing mackerel but was happy to catch anything that had scales.
“He showed us a lot about fishing. We had a rod in our hands since we were five years old,” he said.
Eddie was a massive Parramatta Eels fan and was a coach with Townsville rugby league team Northern Suburbs.
All of his family said Eddie meant the world to them and to many people throughout Townsville and North Queensland.
Eddie came from a big family, he had one brother and had seven sisters – two have passed away.
The 66- year- old was originally from Cloncurry but had lived in Townsville for more than 30 years.
Eddie’s son- in- law, Robert, said midweek was an opportune time for Eddie and Mr Allen to go fishing as Eddie was retired and Mr Allen worked shiftwork.
“It was just a good time for them to go fishing, so that’s why they went when they did,” he said. “We know ( Mr Allen) has a young family and this is breaking our heart.”
Robert said the family was still coming to terms with Friday’s accident and were looking for answers about what happened.
“The ocean was his backyard, don’t worry about the house, that’s where he spent his time,” he said.
“He was not a novice. None of this makes any sense.
“He’s careful, the boat is meticulously maintained, the weather was excellent, there’s no reason for this. He knows where everything is out there, it just doesn’t make any sense.
“Even in conditions like that, I can tell you for a fact, that boat doesn’t go over three- quarter throttle, it’s never gone full throttle.”
Robert said they all had more questions than answers at the moment for the police and the Coroner.