They will kill today. They killed yesterday. And they will kill tomorrow.”
-Alison Anderson, Former Environment Minister, the Northern Territory,Australia, on the rise of crocodile attacks
4. Hero
Located in northeastern Australia, Daintree is a small tropical community defined by its 700 close-knit residents and the region’s striking natural beauty that hasn’t changed much in thousands of years.
Steve and Sharon Doble and their two sons, Jeremy, 5, and Ryan, 7, moved to the area in 2004. The family enjoyed five years of living in this quiet secluded settlement far away from the daily grind of the modern world.
And they loved the freedom and adventure of residing near the banks of the Daintree River, a beautiful ancient waterway that flows through a lush rainforest.
Steve, 40, and Sharon, 39, made a nice living operating the Daintree Rainforest River Train, an eco-friendly wildlife boat cruise that specialized in spotting crocodiles for tourists.
But on February 8, 2009, everything changed.
It was Sunday morning around 9:15. Jeremy, Ryan and their new boxer puppy, Champ, were playing behind their treehouse-style home that their parents had rebuilt.
The boys were taking turns pulling each other around on a boogie board through the shallow floodwaters of the Daintree River, which occasionally crept into their backyard during an especially high tide.
Champ was splashing in the water nearby when Jeremy noticed a large crocodile silently moving in to attack his puppy. Instinctively, Jeremy positioned himself between Champ and the croc and tried to make the giant predator go away.
But it didn’t go away.
Watching in horror, Ryan cried out for help as the 14-foot monster seized his little brother in its massive jaws.
Hearing the screams, Steve Doble ran down from the house and desperately tried to find Jeremy.
“When I got there, the area was deadly silent, no sounds of insects or anything,” Doble said during an interview with Australia’s Woman’s Day magazine. “I was calling out ‘Jeremy, it’s all right, Daddy’s here. You have to let me know where you are so I can find you.’ But he didn’t reply. I scrambled around the water and mud, but we found nothing.”
Doble spent over 20 hours a day searching every river and creek with authorities and friends. On Friday, February 13, their search ended when wildlife officers caught the killer saltwater croc known as “Goldie” to locals. The remains of Jeremy were found inside.
“The thing every parent looks forward to is seeing their child growing up,” said Doble during an interview with the Courier Mail. “But Jeremy will always remain a five-year-old boy and our memories of him will only be for those five years. That, for me, is the hardest thing to deal with…I don’t think we’ll ever get over it. It’s like having your soul wrenched from you and you’ll never get it back.”
A creek that runs through the Doble’s property has been named Jeremy Creek in recognition of their son’s spirit and courage.
Brave little Jeremy Doble gave his life to save Champ, who survived the attack with no injuries.
***
Jeremy and Champ. Five-year-old Jeremy Doble was playing behind his house with his brother, Ryan, 7, and his boxer puppy, Champ, when he was taken by a 14-foot saltwater crocodile. Jeremy saved Champ from the large reptile, which cost him his life. (Photo – The Cairns Post)
Steve and Sharon Doble, with son Ryan, sold their home after son Jeremy was taken by a croc while playing in the backyard. (Photo – Brian Cassey – BrianCasseyPhotographer.com)
The 14-foot saltwater crocodile that killed Jeremy Doble before it was captured. Jeremy’s parents, who operate a river tour that specializes in spotting crocodiles, requested the crocodile, known as Goldie, be allowed to live in captivity. (Photo – Brian Cassey – BrianCasseyPhotographer.com)
The beautiful but dangerous Daintree River in Daintree, Australia. The river’s waters crept into the Doble’s backyard on Feb. 8, 2009 – attracting a giant croc that killed five-year old Jeremy. (Photo – John-vanda – Travelpod.com)
-End-
The exclusive five-part feature Five Killer Croc Attacks concludes with Part Five: “An Occurrence at Sandy Creek,” the story of a guide who leads a group of tourists to a beautiful swimming hole that has just one problem…it’s infested with man-eating crocs.
TheShadowReports 
R.I.P Jeremy.
You did what was right for love.
Damn this is really sad.
I am sorry for your loss your son was very brave may the lord wach over your familey!
What a bravo the kid was, but its really sad. My heart goes out to the family and may god bless them with strength to deal with their loss.
R.I.P. Jeremy.
I can’t believe they let the crocodile live….their stronger people than I am. I would’ve had the thing killed. R.I.P Jeremy my heart really goes out to the family…it was hard to read this I can’t stop crying even now as I type this.
Sunny
This is the great lesson for the parents who love the nature.I
Also feel very sad about bad thing happened to 5 years old boy.After reading the all eaten alive stories i decided not to swin in the water night time and fishing by small boat.Because croc is the king of water all the time.swim in the pool is safer than rivers or ballbong except private pool in the backyard of the state florida residences.Sometime gators in there.
A croc got into s friends pool once, so be sure to check your pool.
My love go out to Steve and sharon and brave young man Ryan and yes jeremy would be so proud of the creek named in his honnor and sounds like a very brave young fella from darren potter sa nationdale bush camping elliston sa
What a brave and courageous little man. The heavens above most definitely have an angel with them.
Iv read all the posts and as a crocodillian enthusiast I sometimes find it hard to hear or read when people call for the crocs to be “dismissed” as they probably think the same of us, if not with more justification as they were here a lot, lot longer than our kind. I also find it inconceivable that people would swim in an area that they would potentially become a meal, (I know this isn’t the case in this story like it is for the others)BUT this story has really hit the mummy and doggie owner in me, I live in the UK so apart from a bee sting we are unlikely to fall victim to nature – but I know my 2yr old adores our/her puppy dog and always places herself in front of the dog if she worries about nutmegs safety. My reason for this comment is actually one of nature and that is although evolution denotes the croc as the longest living and most successful predator on out earth. There is nothing that will ever evolve more than the love a child has for his or hers pets, and I think this faithful little man goes to show that human emotion and the ability to feel is by far natures greatest success.
Sleep tight little one dreaming of your pup. When your reunited there will be a big puppy kiss with your name on it. Thoughts and prayers to your family, who raised a hero
such bold bravery could only be displayed by a child whose mind was not intrigued with what was worth his life protecting, jeremy didn’t need much reason to care for a helpless little puppy he considered companion and stood between it and a man-eating beast. such pure,big heart, rip jeremy. play well in the heavens.
What a very brave little soul RIP Jeremy your mummy and daddy raised a true little hero your brother is a star and if he is like you your mummy and daddy and little champ will be taken care of my deepest condolences to you all and the greatest respect for a little hero
Hats off to the Doble family. They have shown understanding and no malice to the croc in the face of such tragedy. Very big of you.
Well said Dan
I am so sad for the family and they have shown such compassion for the croc that killed their child. I am glad the croc was killed.
Interesting, when did that happen? The killing of the crocodile I mean, did it prove impossible to maintain it in captivity as the family requested?
The world is a far poorer place without your son, Mr & Mrs Doble.
I am 37 and would gladly die for my German Sheperd as I know he would for me.But for a five year old to do so is nothing short of astonishing or remarkable
You would die for your dog?
A tragic loss for the Doble family. The rest of you all drink too much.
Bless this family for raising such an amazing spirit! There own spirits shine through, requesting the Croc live. They clearly understood the Croc was misplaced from its river home and was looking for a convenient meal, which the puppy provided. One of the saddest stories I’ve read.
How did the find the remains of Jeremy inside the croc if it was never killed? I’m sorry, but I dont know how that would be done. Also, you say the Dad searched for 2 hours a day for nearly 2 weeks. Attack was on the 8th. Found him on the 13th. Thats 5 days. Not even close to 2 weeks. I know its a tough stort to stomach, but by any chance did you write this drunk or high?
LoL You might ask the same of me. Typing on a cell can suck. I meant 20 hours a day. Don’t reallt matter. Just giving you sh”t. I just keep thinking instead of trying to make the croc go away, why didnt he just oick up the dog and make a break for the tree house. Had to of been a horrific thing for his bro to watch.
If you can read they use a special xray after capturing 2 crocs and finding the remains of the boy in one of them..
All those story’s out there are not real he is my brother and I watched what happened and only I no what happened so stop making up ur on version of the story
Good onya Ryan, you sound like a really strong guy.
People are always going to be interested in what happened, but as I’m sure you know really well, even complete strangers will care and be sad for you. All you need to do, and I’m also pretty sure you do this already, and have done for ages, is keep being yourself. Nobody is trying to make stuff up, but you know how stories get twisted a bit over time.
It’s nice that others care for you, and I’m sure that’s given you a lot of energy and assurance over the years. But only you get to choose who you are so don’t worry if you think others have an opinion, cos it really doesn’t matter. People will always talk, you can’t escape that so don’t let it get to you dude.
Thank you Ben I appreciate it
Man, bless his heart
This is an extremely sad yet heroic story! One that I most certainly will never forget! There are only a hand few of courageous people in the world who would’ve done what Jeremy did! He was definitely a special child, with a strong heart and raw fearlessness which most adults I know don’t possess. May the Lord Almighty guide and nurture his uniquely strong soul!!!