Steve Irwin is Dead

[babylon5]

RIP

Stingray kills 'Crocodile Hunter'

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified. Irwin, 44, was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He and his American-born wife Terri Irwin became popular figures on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture of live crocodiles.

Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catchphrase "crikey!"

But his image suffered a setback in 2004 when he held his then one-month-old baby while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo.

Irwin's wife Terri was believed to be on location in Tasmania, filming another documentary.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed his sorry Monday and said that he was fond of Irwin and was very appreciative of all the work he had done in promoting Australia overseas.

 

[miketheidiot]

 

[gsaldivar]

NooooOOOOOooooo!!!!

 

[Raiden256]

Sucks... sting ray barb through the chest....wow.

The man could only put off the inevitable for so long, but at least he lived while he lived.

 

[jrenz]

If getting killed by a stingray barb through your chest doesn't get you laid in heaven, I donno what would...

 

[borosp1]

Thats sad news. He was very entertaining and an ambasador for crocodiles and other various wildlife not normally promoted in the United States.

 

[straightalker]

Yeah that's a very sad news report. Confirmed now by many front page reports out of Australia's major online newspapers.

The Crocodile Hunter. Leaving a beautiful wife and family.

The way i figure it, there was no was a croc would ever get Steve. He had them read. It had to be something else like exactly what happened. I'm a diver. A mask limits field of view and water slows down reflexes. So anything could have happened down their.

google streaming video of large STINGRAY

Here's a google video that shows some huge stingrays and you can clearly see how their barb is situated perfectly midway on the topside of their muscular tail. The powerful levearge and instinctive speed of the reflexes would be just too fast to dodge completely in water. Are their "barbs" on that spike i wonder? Or poison? I would not doubt if it's both.

More than likely the Stingray that got Steve simply got spooked Especially if he was feeding them and had more than one circling around him. Fish spook each other. It's the herd reflex. Well i don't want to speculate too much. Maybe no one will ever really know what exactly happened.

Awhile ago a man was on a boat fishing for marlin (or sailfish?) and he hooked one which eventually lept across the back of the boat and speared the man clear through his chest with it's long point bill. Very nearly killed the man.

 

[judasmachine]

The saddest part aside from the familial loss, is the loss of someone with enough of a public persona that was willing to work behind the scenes and talk to investors, and CEOs, and politicians to actually protect and strengthen wildlife preserves.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
The saddest part aside from the familial loss, is the loss of someone with enough of a public persona that was willing to work behind the scenes and talk to investors, and CEOs, and politicians to actually protect and strengthen wildlife preserves.

Aye

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Edit: My bad.. thought I was in OT

 

[LandRover]

This is sad news. He was a colorful guy and made some really interesting documentaries. RIP, Steve.

 

[Waylay00]

 

[eilute]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
The saddest part aside from the familial loss, is the loss of someone with enough of a public persona that was willing to work behind the scenes and talk to investors, and CEOs, and politicians to actually protect and strengthen wildlife preserves.

I would also bet that he was an inspiration for many.

 

[Polish3d]

 

[ProfJohn]

One of the worlds leading advocates to save wildlife is dead. Let's face it, if Mr. Rogers talked about saving wild animals no one would have paid attention, but Irwin's crazy and entertaining way made us all pay attention.

Worst of all I feel sorry for his children who will only know their father by watching tapes of him while he was alive.

 

[MedicBob]

That does suck. My heart to the family. He was a great showman, fun to watch, and helping to lead conservation efforts.

 

[alchemize]

Wow - truth is stranger than fiction. I had to see this on a few websites before I believed it wasn't a hoax.

 

[Todd33]

Damn... I loved his shows. Very passionate and entertaining. We'll miss him.

 

[Kadarin]

Crikey...

He lived a good life, doing something he loved.

 

[Whitecloak]

 

[Perknose]

Very, very sad for his family and for us, but that man lived a fuller life than most, and died doing what he loved.

As the Lakota Sioux would say upon greeting the morning sun, in the warmest and most positive sense, "Today is a good day to die."

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Perknose
Very, very sad for his family and for us, but that man lived a fuller life than most, and died doing what he loved.

As the Lakota Sioux would say upon greeting the morning sun, in the warmest and most positive sense, "Today is a good day to die."

So true.

but no sadness.

He didn't need the money.

He will have a lasting legacy. Well done Steve :thumbsup:

He did it his way

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

:brokenheart:

 

[marvdmartian]

:brokenheart: to Terri and the kids.

To Steve, wherever you are, here's to ya, mate! Good on ya! :beer:

 

[AnitaPeterson]

RIP Steve Irwin.
You will be missed and much regretted.