Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin is dead

[SFS]

Croc Hunter Steve Irwin dead in accident
Monday Sep 4 14:56 AEST

Television personality and environmentalist Steve Irwin has died in a marine accident in north Queensland, state government sources say.

The 44-year-old is believed to have been killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, sources say.

He was filming an underwater documentary off Port Douglas when the accident occurred.


Mr Irwin's body is being flown to Cairns.


It's believed Mr Irwin's American-born wife Terri is trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania and has yet to be told of her husband's death.

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

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

He's 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.

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.

Mr 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.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=127458

[Tynstar]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/a...60904/ap_en_tv/obit_irwin

 

That really blows. I would love to live like he did. I think he had the best job in the world.

[captain_nintendo]

Crikey!

A stingray strike to the chest.

[TraderJake]

This is sad, but you can't help but think that this man was tempting fate everyday, and unfortunately fate caught up to the poor soul.

Thoughts and prayers go out his family.

[Alabama-Shrimp]

did he stick his finger up its arse?

[Barracuda]

It's always sad to hear about death. Like TraderJake said fate was bound to catch up with him.

[ganonbanned]

this is sad.   every website i have gone to this morning had at least some kind of topic about him.

[bum-man]

I guess he died doing what he loved so that's a plus if you gotta go.  I do feel bad for his wife and two small kids, that's the sad part.  They say he was swimming above the stingray when it got him, knowing him I imagine he was proably talking about how beautiful and graceful it was but how it could kill with just one strike.  I heard he was filming a documentary called "The Ocean's Deadliest", I wonder if it will ever be produced.

[den68]

I wonder how many people in the world know a hell of a lot more about wildlife than they did before they stumbled onto the crazy guy in shorts wrestling a crocodile? I know I do. My wife first spotted him a few years ago while flipping channels. We watched at first because the guy was a nut and you wanted to see what risk he was going to take next. After a while you couldn't help see the guys conviction and love of all animals no matter how deadly. And you did learn a lot too.

I feel bad for his wife and kids. Sure he checked out doing what he loved but he left a young family behind. That's the sad part.

[The Metamorphosing Leon]

Hmm, guess I shoulda looked here before I started my own thread on it.

Oh well.

Yeah it sucks, he just got unlucky.

[AndyC]

It was saying on the radio today that they are going to screen the scenes of his death on TV. Im not too sure if this is a good thing or not as I really don't think I'd particularly enjoy watching someone be killed, especially someone who has given me years of entertainment. 

[The Metamorphosing Leon]

He wasn't killed instantly, it probably wasn't even that violent.

[Pinky]

wow. My prayers go out to him as well.

[atari_wizard]

wow. My prayers go out to him as well.

Oops. that is actually my post. I thought I was logged in. lol

[Tynstar]

Pinky?