Crocodile Hunter dies....

[skittleslegend]

Very sad, indeed. Apparently, he was on a diving expedition and a stingray stung him through his chest, I think. I loved his show.


R.I.P.


Oop, just found the article:

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...222051494.html

Crocodile man, Steve Irwin, dies




Jason Staines
September 4, 2006 - 3:31PM

Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, has died after being struck by a stingray barb in Queensland.

Mr Irwin, 44 died after the stingray barb went through his chest while he was shooting a documentary off Port Douglas.

The Queensland Police Service has confirmed Mr Irwin's death. In a statement, it said Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung by a sting ray at Batt Reef, off Port Douglas, about 11am.

After being struck, Mr Irwin's crew called for medical treatment and the Emergency Management Queensland Helicopter responded, but he was dead before the treatment arrived.

The statement said Mr Irwin's family has been advised.

His American-born wife Terri is reported to be trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.

A spokesman for the Queensland Ambulance Service said officers attended the scene on Low Isles via helicopter at 12.04pm today and arrived back in Cairns at 12.53pm.

"The area it was delivered to was the problem. A sting ray hit to the chest is a big problem," he said.

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 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.

A spokeswoman for Irwin's Australia Zoo said she was aware of reports of his death and the zoo would not be making any statements at this stage.

According to the zoo's website, Irwin was born in Victoria in 1962, but
moved with his family to Queensland in 1970 when his father, Bob, started a reptile park on the Sunshine Coast.

Irwin married American Terri Raines in 1992 after she visited the zoo
on holiday.


theage.com.au, with AAP

[Silver8th]

Man, that is very sad. I like his show. He will be missed by alot of animals...and humans

R.I.P Crocodile Hunter

[Gonzo]

I just found out. This is soo sad. He was such a funny, passionate guy. He will be missed. My heart goes out to his family, his wife and his two kids, 8 and 2.

[Cheungman]

ya its really sad, my prayers go out to his family for his sudden death.... but than again he died doing what he loved so thats kind of pretty cool... in a sad kind of way but u no wat i mean

[BigBucksT]

I was in shock when I saw this 2 hours ago. WTF is he doing in examining stingrays? That is not his specialty.

I feel bad for his kids and his wife. This is a very sad story indeed.

[thinkinblue613]

Aww man.. that sucks. I grew up watching his show "Crocodile Hunter" and he was always a good man... I guess God needed him to catch some stray crocs up in heaven. I really hope his wife and kids are going to be alright... At least he did what he loved to do but it sucks his wife wasn't with him. I hope they didn't catch his death on camera either since he was filming at the moment..

R.I.P. Steve, gonna miss ya bro :rolleyes:

[honda93]

What a sad way to end my summer. He was a naturalist and environmentalist who was fascinated by and loved ANY and ALL of God's creations... Amphibian to reptile to mammal.

I will miss him.

[cappykd]

That's a shame, he was a friend to all animals...

[atruhondagrl]

That stinks. He was so cool and so enthusiastic. I always figured he'd be doing his thing well into his AARP days. Bummer.

[tygerSI33]

I agree. I it is truely sad.

[urge31121@hotmail.com]

I loved watching Crazy Steve on his show and in interviews over the years, he was a very unique passionate character that the world will never forget. I could not believe this news when I read it online early this morning...how very very sad. What a tragedy, and a clear reminder to everyone how precious and unpredictable life is. Be careful out there people and live every day to it's fullest with the same zest for life that Steve Irwin had.

[bizzybearfigiblue]

R.I.P. to my homie

[Cookstar]

Damn that sucks! It sounds like a really freak occurrance too.

From Wikipedia:
Dasyatids generally do not attack aggressively, or even actively defend themselves. When threatened their primary reaction is to swim away. However, when they are attacked by predators or stepped on, the barbed stinger in their tail is mechanically whipped up. This attack is normally ineffective against their main predator, sharks. Humans are usually stung in the foot; it is also possible, although less likely, to be stung "accidentally" by brushing against the stinger. Contact with the stinger causes local trauma (from the cut itself), pain and swelling from the venom, and possible infection from parts of the stinger left in the wound, as well as from seawater entering the wound. Injuries to humans include, but are not limited to, venomization, punctures, severed arteries and possible death though extremely unlikely. Fatal stings, such as that which killed Australian naturalist and TV-personality Steve Irwin [1] are extremely rare (as of 1996, worldwide deaths from stingray barb injuries numbered 17) [2], but can occur if a sting punctures the heart or chest, causing complications due to both the sting's location and the poison in the barbs.

[k20z3Vo]

Yeah, I think I heard it this morning around 4am something. It didn't really kick in until later this morning. I just can't believe it. The guy was just the awesomest! And will be greatly missed. RIP Steve, and God Bless!

[tennisfan16]

very sad, i was shocked when I read it.

[si4fun]

R.I.P.

[Si-aficionado]

Oh no!! I used to love watching Steve on all his programs
We could have seen this coming though..he was an expert on his field, no doubt, but he did some crazy stuff with deadly poisonous animals

May he rest in peace

[Skylinegtr06]

Krikey, that sucks didn't recently have a daughter?

[8thgenuser]

It's sad when a person with so much love, passion and enthusiasm for all living organisms passes away.

[aodmisery]

...and you know animal planet or one of them channels will do a special on his death...