Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter met his fate...

[Lori]

 

A DOCTOR and witnesses have told of the desperate efforts to save Australian icon Steve Irwin after the Crocodile Hunter was struck in the chest by a stingray barb today.

Irwin, 44, died this morning after being fatally injured while filming a nature documentary off Queensland.

The news has shocked the nation and prompted a rush of tributes from politicians and the public alike.

Irwin's wife Terri was in Tasmania at the time of the tragedy and had to be contacted by police with the terrible news.

The couple's daughter Bindi, 8, was with her father in north Queensland, Irwin's manager John Stainton said from Cairns.

Choking back tears, Mr Stainton said Irwin had gone "over the top of a stingray and a stingray's barb went up and went into his chest and put a hole into his heart".

"He possibly died instantly when the barb hit him, and I don't think that he ... felt any pain."

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20349888-2,00.html

This is very sad. I will miss him.

[Kia Lafemme]

Yes it is sad,
but somehow i saw it comming with all the chances he was takin.

[Nero]

it is sad
i never realized how fragile and precious life is

[taylor]

Hi All,

I was stunned this morning when I saw this on the news. I loved what this man did and how dedicated he was to his work. Dangerous or not, he educated people on all levels, and the special needs kids that I have taught over the years loved watching him. He simply was gifted!  My rough and tough behavioral teens loved him as much as my dual diagnosed kids at low end cognative levels, he educated so many people in a way no one else has done. I am so sorry to hear he is now gone.

Peace,
Taylor

[Mario]

It's hard to believe that after all these years flirting with danger, he's really dead!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14663786/?GT1=8506


Marco

[Jillieann Rose]

Oh No!
I hurt for his wife and children.
Jillieann

[gin]

That is so sad!!  His poor wife and children!

[Kendall]

He loved what he did.

Even though what he did was absurdly crazy and not needed. I agree with his animal preservation, but not to his getting close to deadly animals. He did a lot of good preserving some australian animals.

At least he had enough conviction to brave even deadly situations. And died doing it.

[Lori]

His death was filmed as well. I wonder how long it takes before it hits the net. 

[BrandiOK]

As I understand it now.....he was totally unaware that the ray was underneath him as he swam over it.  As many of you probably know sting rays will bury themselves in the sandy bottom and are virtually invisible.   He wasn't being reckless or engaging in any dangerous behavior...it was a freak accident and it could have happened to anyone who unknowingly swam over a hidden ray. 

I wonder if maybe I wouldn't feel so bad if I could blame it on him being reckless but either way it's a huge loss to the world.  He may have been the nutty aussie who made us all laugh and/or wonder about his sanity but he was also somebody who stood up for those creatures who couldn't stand up for themselves.  A truly great man who had a great cause and did so many great things in his short time. 

I personally have admired this man for many years and will always think of his love and respect for nature each time I venture into the woods or water.  Good bye Croc Hunter.....you did good.

[tinkerbell]

OMG!  That's so sad!  I loved his shows, his australian accent.  I can't believe he is gone!  so young!  so full of life!  His family must be devastated!

tinkerbell

[Luc]

I'll just echo what others said... how incredibly sad for his wife and children.

Rafe

[cindianna_jones]

It was a very wierd accident.  A stingray?  I would never guess that a ray would get him.  Yes it is sad.

But I've got this to say about him.  He died doing what he loved.... with "his boots on" so to speak.  I'm still saddened for his family.

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Now, I don't want to make light of his death.  But I'd like to go with "my boots on".  Here's the plan.  I want to get shot by a jelous wife when I'm 110 years old.

Cindi

[Nicole]

As I understand it now.....he was totally unaware that the ray was underneath him as he swam over it.  As many of you probably know sting rays will bury themselves in the sandy bottom and are virtually invisible.   He wasn't being reckless or engaging in any dangerous behavior...it was a freak accident and it could have happened to anyone who unknowingly swam over a hidden ray. 

I wonder if maybe I wouldn't feel so bad if I could blame it on him being reckless but either way it's a huge loss to the world.  He may have been the nutty aussie who made us all laugh and/or wonder about his sanity but he was also somebody who stood up for those creatures who couldn't stand up for themselves.  A truly great man who had a great cause and did so many great things in his short time. 

I personally have admired this man for many years and will always think of his love and respect for nature each time I venture into the woods or water.  Good bye Croc Hunter.....you did good.

He was swimming with the rays when one was spooked turning and hitting him with the brab. They were recording at the time and got it on tape.

The weird thing about it is it was only the third death by a stringray recorder in Australia.
We here in Australia are so shocked that its all people are talking about, the first 5 or so stories on the news is about him and it was on the first 20 pages of the papers this morning. He not only did so much for wildlife, but for Australia.


RIP Steve Irwin 1962 - 2006

[Susan]

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-2924787400833734135

Steve Irwin and those he left behind

[BrandiOK]

That is one video I certainly hope never makes its way onto the web....I'm sure it will though <sigh>

Thank you for that clip Susan...I hadn't seen a lot of that footage.

[Mario]

I have watched all the footage on-line at this time, and now I am even more sad. Just all the conservation work he has done over the years, and the truly wonderful and entertaining man he was. They say their may be a state funeral. He is deserving of that. I now understand that what happened was not in any way due to him being "too close" to danger.

                                                Marco

[Sarah Louise]

He was an interesting man, I have seen several of his specials and always liked them.  Such a shame to die that way, so freakish, but he was doing what he loved, what more can you ask than that.

Sarah L.

[Jillieann Rose]

Thank you Susan for posting the video.
Even as I watched the footage I had to smile at the great crocodile hunt Steven Irwin.
It hurts to lose someone that you look up to.
With tears and a smile I say goodbye to one of my heros.
I'll  miss you Steve and the world will miss you too.

Jillieann