Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin dead

[soulxtc]

THE Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, is dead.

He was killed in a freak accident in Cairns, police sources said today.

It is understood he was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest and reportedly into his heart .

He was swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas filming an underwater documentary when the tragedy occured.

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) was called about 11am (AEST) and an emergency services helicopter was flown to the crew's boat on Batt Reef, off the coast near Cairns, with a doctor and emergency services paramedic on board.

Irwin had a puncture wound to the left side of his chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Irwin's body is being flown to Cairns.

Tasmania Police this afternoon confirmed his wife Terri was travelling in the state at the time of the tragedy.

A spokeswoman said police had made contact with Mrs Irwin and "passed on a message relating to the death of her husband".

The Irwins have two children - a daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin, eight, and a three-year-old son, Robert (Bob) Clarence Irwin.

Steve Irwin - known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter - was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!".

In an sad twist, it has been reported that his new documentary was aimed at demystifying the stingray.

Irwin's Crocodile Hunter program was first broadcast in 1992 and has been shown around the world on cable network Discovery.

He has also starred in movies and has developed the Australia Zoo wildlife park, north of Brisbane, which was started by his parents Bob and Lyn Irwin.

Tributes have already started pouring in for the larger-than-life character.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who used a photograph of his family at Australia Zoo for his official Christmas card last year, hailed Mr Irwin for his work in promoting Australia.

Irwin was heavily involved in last year's "G'Day LA" campaign.

"The minister knew him, was fond of him and was very, very appreciative of all the work he'd done to promote Australia overseas," a spokesman said.

A Tourism Queensland spokeswoman said the death was shocking and paid tribute to Irwin's "enormous contribution" to his adopted state.

"I don't think we could even estimate how much he brought us through his personality and his profile and his enthusiasm about Queensland," she said.

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

[evilmegaman]

:icon_salu

this is kinda sad... But out of curiosity... Is a stingray barb part of a stingray?


nvm...

I don't know what to think about this...

[Mels_Smileys45]

Its sad but everyone should have known something bad would happen to him. He was an alright guy but seemed to think if you knew an animal you could predict what it was thinking. Like when he taunted that crocodile with his baby. Just stupid. Like Timothy Treadwell before him, testing wild animals limits is foolish. At some point your odds are reduced to 0, game over.

[DigitalJunkie]

I watch Animal Planet often, I'm going to miss it. :(

[axlman]

No more "Crikey" for all those who loved Steve Erwin! The 44 year old Croc Hunter has passed away early Monday morning during a filming for his show. Steve was stuck by a barb of a StingRay.

Story Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060904/ap_on_en_tv/obit_irwin



CAIRNS, Australia - Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray while filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.
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Irwin was killed by a stingray barb to the heart on Batt Reef, off the remote resort town of Port Douglas in northeastern Queensland state, his wildlife park Australia Zoo said in a statement.

Crew members aboard Irwin's boat, Croc One, called emergency services in the nearest city, Cairns, and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead a short time later, the statement said.

Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword "Crikey!" in his television program "Crocodile Hunter," which was first broadcast in Australia in 1992 and has aired around the world on the Discovery channel.
He rode his image into a feature film, and developed the Australia Zoo as a tourist attraction.

"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," John Stainton, Irwin's friend and producer, said in the statement. "He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs Rule!"

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who used a photograph of his family at Australia Zoo for his official Christmas card last year, hailed Irwin for his work in promoting Australia through projects such as "G'Day LA," an Australian tourism and trade promotion week in Los Angeles in January.

"The minister knew him, was fond of him and was very, very appreciative of all the work he'd done to promote Australia overseas," Downer's spokesman Tony Parkinson said.
Irwin's dedication to conservationist causes led him to become a vocal critic of wildlife hunts in Australia. The federal government recently dropped plans to allow crocodile safaris for wealthy tourists in the Northern Territory following his vehement objections.

Irwin told the Australian television program "A Current Affair" that "killing one of our beautiful animals in the name of trophy hunting will have a very negative impact on tourism, which scares the living daylights out of me."
However, Irwin had also received negative publicity in recent years. In January 2004, he stunned onlookers at the Australia Zoo reptile park by carrying his month-old son into a crocodile pen during a wildlife show. He tucked the infant under one arm while tossing the 13-foot reptile a piece of meat with the other.
Authorities declined to charge Irwin for violating safety regulations.

Later that year, he was accused of getting too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales in Antarctica while making a documentary. Irwin denied any wrongdoing, and an Australian Environment Department investigation recommended no action be taken.

He is survived by his American wife Terri, from Eugene, Ore., and their daughter Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, who will turn 3 in December.

The couple met when she went on vacation in Australia in 1991 and visited Irwin's Australia Zoo; they were married six months later. Sometimes referred to as the Crocodile Huntress, she costarred on her husband's television show and in the 2002 movie, "The Crocodile Hunters: Collision Course."
Stingrays have flat bodies and tails with serrated spines, which contain venom and can cause cuts and puncture wounds. The creatures are not aggressive and injury usually occurs when a swimmer or diver accidentally steps on one.

[Auggie2k]

Threads merged.

Yeah it is a shame, my brother is actually really upset about it. He will be missed.

[VAMPYRE BLADE]

That sucks i use to watch him on cable, he was a brave guy i wouldnt touch half the animals he did.

[Signa]

im sad but i cant help but feel a little irreverantly mirthful about it. i mean the guy was awsome, but he did some REALLY stupid things too: most of it for entertainment factor. its like when they brought him onto southpark, all he did was wrestle animals for no reason and try to cram his thumb up their butthole. i found that funny because it made more sence doing that than it did for what he did in real life.

whats really funny is that he is only the 3rd recorded death in austrailia from stingrays. such sad irony.

[shawners]

Died doing something you love, and he died with his boots on. If he didnt do what he did, alot of people wouldnt have known so much or seen so many animals. Plus what he did made him famous and probably provide a richer life for his wife and kids. So maybe later when the kids reach a older age, maybe they will understand more about him through all the videos and tapes that he was on.

[CrashPeer44]

Awh:'( i loved that showed I watched it growing up!

RIP Steve Irwin you always brought alot of laughter and amazement through every epesoid

[black_magiic]

I can't believe he died. He could of been the next Chuck Norris. He'll be missed.

[fleecy]

we enjoyed his show. he was so enthusiastic about his work, you could tell he genuinely loved it. i wish i could say it was a shock, but he'd had his share of close calls, and there is a price to be paid for getting up close and personal with some of these species. still, he'll be missed. no more "crikey".

[CrashPeer44]

i'm sad
he has to be few of the people on TV that actually had a non Hollywood bullshit interesting show

[meyou123]

I think it is very sad, because he seemed to love his wife, kids and especially going out and having fun with animals....that is if you can call wrestling alligators or playing with posionus snakes fun!

But he did seem to enjoy what he did while he was here. But I agree with what most here have said....you can only go for so long taking chances and having near misses before somethings got to give.

What may very well have happened is that because of the person he was, he took a chance and swam too close to the stingray...who then felt threatened and fought back the only way it knew how...with it's barb extended. Unfortunately....it hit his chest and pirced his heart. I would think that even if it had of missed his heart, he would have been severly wounded...though he might have lived.

But when it is your time to die, then that is it. I hope his wife and kids can find some peace knowing that he died doing what he loved. I really could not see that kind of person growing old and dying in a rocking char...at least not without driving the old folks crazy with his stories! RIP Steve....you will be missed.

[TheHashasin]

I have to say as long time Greenpeace Activist & Staff Member I have mixed feelings about this guy and his partner. I feel so sorry about his tragic end, though we knew it was inevitable he was going to come to a grizzly end! He torrmented different wild life species & annoyed them IMO all in the name of the $$$ So sad for his kid and immeditae family. I hope perhaps some of these other egotists and money making "IDIOTS" take heed and discontinue this unsavoury way of profiteering...

Peace.

[Malakai1911]

I have to say as long time Greenpeace Activist & Staff Member I have mixed feelings about this guy and his partner. I feel so sorry about his tragic end, though we knew it was inevitable he was going to come to a grizzly end! He torrmented different wild life species & annoyed them IMO all in the name of the $$$ So sad for his kid and immeditae family. I hope perhaps some of these other egotists and money making "IDIOTS" take heed and discontinue this unsavoury way of profiteering...

Peace.

Profiterring... ugh. Makes me want to buy one of those licenses to hunt endangered species in China out of spite.

[shawners]

Heres something i found on this issue.

[axlman]

Let's all give a big "CRIKEY" shoutout in memory of Steve!

[Crazy Horse]

I hope perhaps some of these other egotists and money making "IDIOTS" take heed and discontinue this unsavoury way of profiteering...
.

No worries mate...there will always be another "idiot" to take his place...providing the pay is right..crikey!

[soulxtc]

Let's all give a big "CRIKEY" shoutout in memory of Steve!

"CRIKEY!"

http://www.worth1000.com/entries/97500/97673inQM_w.jpg

[Arch Stanton]

Steve-O will be missed. He knew the kinds of risks he took and at least he went doing somthing he loved. Ever since he surfaced a whole slew of wanna-be croc-snake hunters have peppered the TV with their watered down impersonations of him but none have (will) ever come close to matching enthusiasm and ability Steve had.

Crocs Rule!!!

[Neildo]

At first I dodn't believe it, but i've seen identical threads on every forum i read.

So it must be true. NOOO!

I'm gonna miss him.

[Auggie2k]

Heres something i found on this issue.
I'm sorry, is that meant to be funny?

[Pirate_RRRRRR_IIIIII]

The saddest thing is how we were robbed the irony of him being killed by a croc. After that baby stunt he pulled, he lost me caring for him. Still for his family, RIP Steve you crazy sob. There were alot of good times...

[shawners]

I'm sorry, is that meant to be funny?

They sell sting ray guards. Its suppose to be used in sting ray infested waters.

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

Sad news indeed.

[infoseeker]

:icon_salu

this is kinda sad... But out of curiosity... Is a stingray barb part of a stingray?

nvm...
I don't know what to think about this...


They called them here in our country "pagi" (local name) fa-ghi.... or others "flying fish"

Their tail is one of the poisonous species in the sea.
and as soul says in the news... if you get wounded with their tail in any "serious" part of your body (as what happen to mr. Steve) you get easily poison

http://citychick.typepad.com/photos/places/stingray.jpg

when they caught a stingray, they only cut the tail then they let dried it in the sun
Most of the people living near in the sea, they use the tail of this stingray as "display" in their house, they even sell this

BTW, i noticed that Mr. Steve (even tho i dont know him) his very popular and respected
RIP

EDIT:
>>infoseeker / jhempelayo<<

[meyou123]

I have to say as long time Greenpeace Activist & Staff Member I have mixed feelings about this guy and his partner. I feel so sorry about his tragic end, though we knew it was inevitable he was going to come to a grizzly end! He torrmented different wild life species & annoyed them IMO all in the name of the $$$ So sad for his kid and immeditae family. I hope perhaps some of these other egotists and money making "IDIOTS" take heed and discontinue this unsavoury way of profiteering...

Peace.



TORMENT? Where the hell do you get THAT from? He was a guy that taught about nature and to RESPECT it! You do sound like some kind of activist, I'll give you that, but that doesn't make you right. You are completely wrong on stating that he tortured animals. You need to get your facts straight.

[nightshadow]

I've actually met the guy in real life and I have to say he will be missed by many.
He actually was not quite as goofy in real life as he was on TV. He actually seemed to me to be alot smarter than he portrayed himself.

[kari14]

The saddest thing is how we were robbed the irony of him being killed by a croc. After that baby stunt he pulled, he lost me caring for him. Still for his family, RIP Steve you crazy sob. There were alot of good times...

A stingray! A stringraY!! He was killed by a STINGRAY!!

[nukehella]

*There is no need for that.*

[moneoa]

A stingray! A stringraY!! He was killed by a STINGRAY!!
did we mention normally not lethal

[multi]

Often when you saw him catching a croc or huge snake ,these were animals that were being relocated to where they would be less danger to humans. There were a few creatures he had hold of that didn't seem to happy about it. Fair enough...but if you think this man enjoyed being cruel to animals you are sadly mistaken. He grew up with dangerous creatures and was a pure wildlife professional. He has bought wetlands for wildlife sanctuaries that would of other wise been gobbled up by developers..

That baby incident was really a bunch of bullshit ..feeding a croc half a chicken with a baby tucked under his arm, was ofcourse a WTF scenario for most of us. All the same, his explaination of it was heartfelt and sincere and the camera angle of the first footage aired compared to a wideangle shot that he showed later made most people realise it looked a lot worse than it was plus he had 6 other handlers nearby, whatever .

I saw a bit of video of his daughter Bindi being a Guide in front of a big crowd of Zoo visitors, doing a great job feeding a big turtle flowers.
Couldn't help but think of her baby brother and her both probably got to feed the big croc with dad quite a few times privately .

Memories I will bet they wouldn't part with for anything in the world.

[whitenoise22]

I have 2 stingrays, and they just had babys

[evilmegaman]

I have 2 stingrays, and they just had babys

you must work at a fire department!


but seriously wtf?

what are the other type of rays called? there's non-poisonous ones right?

[nukehella]

you must work at a fire department!


but seriously wtf?

what are the other type of rays called? there's non-poisonous ones right?

Around here in the Chesapeake Bay area we have these things called skates that look the same but aren't poisonous.There are also cow nosed rays which aren't poisonous.The thing is the fish get scared away when these things come around so although they may be harmless I wish they'd go join Steve(not Earle) and leave my fish alone.
Because there's fishing-and then there's everything else.

[mfgbypooter]

what are the other type of rays called? there's non-poisonous ones right?Manta Rays.

http://www.elasmodiver.com/images/Manta-ray-07-large.jpg


*

[Potato]

I'm sure being stabbed in the chest with the stingray barb was a pleasant way to die. Hopefully it was quick. I can't imagine how painful that would be.

[infoseeker]

But im still in worry,

i have a 2 co-worker from different places, same lives near in the sea and they are educated (in their experience) regarding stingray.
They said they know its poisonous what they always see, catch, cook and they saw somebody got wounded, and get infected then the victim surely will get a fever bcoz of the infection but they never heard someone got died because of this stingray.

They said also that stingray will not attack nor will defend themselves

just a thot


>>infoseeker / jhempelayo<<

[fleecy]

i know there was mention of profiteering. i watched a special last night, and a lot of the money he made went right back out again to buy parcels of land to prevent them from being deforested, as he mourned the loss of habitat. so he put his money where his mouth was.

[Auggie2k]

I'm sure being stabbed in the chest with the stingray barb was a pleasant way to die. Hopefully it was quick. I can't imagine how painful that would be.
Quite actually, the barb has jagged edges and it releases a venomous sting too. Would go in easy, but not out.

http://www.mote.org/clientuploads/sharks/Pictures/stingray_barb_web.jpg

I'm going to copy and paste what I said in the Consortium...

Think of it this way, he lived an amazing life, has kids to spread his name, made millions of fans, saved loads of animals and died doing what he loved. If I had a choice, I'd like to go the same way - doing what I love.

[nukehella]

Quite actually, the barb has jagged edges and it releases a venomous sting too. Would go in easy, but not out.


When I lived in Florida a girl stepped on a small ray.She started screaming that she had been bit by a shark.I ran in to the water and grabbed her but there was no blood.I looked at her foot and she had one of those things sticking out but nowhere near as large as the one that killed Erwin.
It must have hurt like hell though.It was on a private beach and I had to lift and carry her over a fence.She clawed the shit out of my back and neck and almost broke my eardrums shreiking.
Turns out she was a Cuban topless dancer that barely spoke English.I went to see her in the club were she worked a week later and she didn't even recognize me.
Talk about a jaded woman.
That was my sting ray related stroll down memory lane for today.God my life sucks now.From now on I will never take exotic Cuban dancers on the beachfor granted again.Assuming I ever get to go anywhere again.

[moneoa]

God bless you steve you crazy bastard.
Bless you for purchasing that land as well..90,000 acres I think.

not religious here but I hope you found your heaven

[the great one]

It's too bad that Steve died that way.It's kind of ironic considering there hasn't been a human death by a ray in 60 years(at least from what I read).

I did kind of expect him to die by a snake or a crocodile though. Sad....

[infringer]

Amazing charechter no doubt...

There isnt a person I know of who dosent know him.

His gift his cause was downright righteous. Conservation of wildlife and of earth really, a very hot topic as of late even before his death.

I hope his death does make as much of an impact as his life did and helps people look at the importance of conservation.

[kathap]

Waltzing Matilda

That beautiful song was Australia to me
before "Crocodile Hunter" aired on TV

He was crazy, brash, exuberant and fun
I never saw another do what he'd done

A pioneer in his field, a man with fight
he brought a gorgeous Australia to sight

So full of dedication, enthusiasm and grit
for the sanctity of wildlife--his passion was lit

For the land and the animals his purpose was filled
yet I think too soon his bright, helping spirit was stilled

He cried for that which moved him and all that he loved
for the critters, his family on earth and his mother above

When I think of his passing I can scarce breathe
while I pray for his loved ones, as the world grieves

As tears fill my eyes so that I can not see
would someone play "Waltzing Matilda" for me


...Thank you Steve Irwin, and family...

~~*~~

Copyright 2006 Kathy Pippig Harris

[fleecy]

that was beautiful.

i read this morning that PETA is blasting him for his portrayal of animals and calling him a "cheap reality TV star". sickening. his poor family must be hurt, especially terri, who was right there with him. his memory deserves better.

[kathap]

Thank you, Fleecy!!!

I'm in agreement with you. Steve Irwin's memory deserves better, indeed. I watch Terri and Steve on TV and I can't imagine the jolt of disbelief and grief his wife and family must be feeling. PETA should keep quiet.

[madkeen1973]

greenpeace what have they put in financially to help the cause ??they just keep putting their hands out . i love the whales to but steves way of talking to the animals was unusual but effective & we all benifited from it, education , presivation & we even got a laugh out of him. steve donated 75 million u.s dollars last year , 95% of his wage & 75% of his zoo's profit went back into wildlife preserving, education , documentries , rescue & breeding endangered species. where as our goverment (AUSSIE) didnt even put 2 million into anything like this. we need a zillion more of steve , unfortunately we will never see another like him. if you were lucky enough to visit his zoo you would have realised that the animals run to him when they see him , you can see the animals just want him. see you steve , i was lucky enough to be your neighbour & proud of it , you had a massive impact on my son's & my life, for that we thank you . :icon_scra :icon_comp :icon_salu :icon_king

[mfgbypooter]

This whole ordeal with stringray steve has left me wondering if stingray tastes like chicken.

*

[cjules13]

Bill Maher is a real jerk with this one for halloween...

http://www.cinemablend.com/images/sections/1533/1533.jpg

[RACKnRAIL]

Bill Maher is a real jerk with this one for halloween...

I never did like him anyways. What a jerk!

[Signa]

LOL when did he do that?! southpark just had an episode with that exact costume. knowing southpark, they prolly were ripping on him, but that episode aired before holloween, so im wondering if he copied southpark

[Mels_Smileys45]

Bill Maher is a real jerk with this one for halloween...

http://www.cinemablend.com/images/sections/1533/1533.jpg[/URL]


Thats great! lol Here is a video [url]http://youtube.com/watch?v=nfjSxpQan6w&mode=related&search= (http://www.cinemablend.com/images/sections/1533/1533.jpg)

[evilmegaman]

Thats great! lol Here is a video http://youtube.com/watch?v=nfjSxpQan6w&mode=related&search=


You totally wouldn't have found that if I didn't find that other video. :devil2

[Mels_Smileys45]

You totally wouldn't have found that if I didn't find that other video. :devil2



Yeah, I followed the links, so sue me.

[Feather]

Are we that bored to dig up a year old thread? Don't you 2 have some pot plants to groom?

[cheapprick]

I watched a special on him the other night.

Contrary to popular belief crocodiles weren't his first love in the animal world. Apparently he had a soft spot in his heart for stingrays.