Breaking News: ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin Dead
This just came down the wire a few minutes ago from Reuters via MSNBC:
SYDNEY, Australia - Steve Irwin, the quirky Australian naturalist who won worldwide acclaim, has died in a marine accident off Australia’s northeast coast, local media reported on Monday.
Queensland state government sources quoted by Australian Associated Press (AAP) said Irwin, 44, whose television show “The Crocodile Hunter†won international acclaim and popularized the phrase “Crikeyâ€, was believed to have been killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest.
He was filming an underwater documentary off Port Douglas when the accident occurred, the report said.
This is so sad. The guy seemed a little nuts with the “daredevil antics” he employed to teach us about wildlife, but Irwin had arguably the most entertaining natural wild life program on TV. May God be with his family at this very difficult time.
Update: Kim Priestap at Wizbang! has more including a report that Irwin’s wife may not have heard of his death yet.
UPDATE by COgirl. Falcon had a photo that didn’t get uploaded, so I’m doing it here.
September 4th, 2006 at 2:00 am
Yes, may God comfort his family during this sudden grief.
One thing about Steve Irwin was that even though he was in dangerous situations he always seemed to be very careful. I guess he just wasn’t careful enough and the stingray got him. What a pity.
I pray for his family.
September 4th, 2006 at 4:15 am
Steve Irwin Dies By Stingray Near Cairns
Heartbreaking news from Australia. Popular Austrialian TV personality Steve Irwin, also known as the Crocodile Hunter on TV’s Animal Planet has died in a freak accident involving a stingray while filming on the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns Australi…
September 4th, 2006 at 9:56 am
How sad. I sort of felt a special attachment to him because I lived in Queensland for 4 years. I’ve even been up to Port Douglas where the accident occurred. At least he was up in a beautiful spot and died doing what he loved the most. Peace to him and all his family.
September 4th, 2006 at 11:29 am
I think I read this morning that there have only been a recorded 17 fatal stingray attacks in history. Had its very small (20cm) stinger struck him anywhere else but the heart, he would have lived.
I used to watch his show with my Dad. No doubt his show was the most entertaining of its sort on TV. Unlike a lot of environmentalists, he seemed to truly love and respect the power of the dangerous animals he was around, and even though being around them was a little nuts in the first place, it never drifted into the truly insane like Timothy Treadwell, and it was always informative.
Genuinely a freak accident. I can’t imagine how devastated his family must be.
September 4th, 2006 at 11:34 am
R.I.P. — Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin
He was famous for his love of wildlife, his passion for the environment, and his infectiously over-the-top enthusiasm for pushing the envelope of fortune in pretty much anything he did. He represented Australia to the world like a true ambassador.
September 4th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Apparently CNN and the BBC are reporting that only 2-3 deaths from stingray have ever been recorded.
The chance of this happening to someone seems utterly astronomical, let alone someone with the knowledge of animals Steve had.
September 4th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Ouch!!!
May he rest in peace.
September 4th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
I am still in shock!
I have read many comments in the news about this man and I don’t understand why no one else has come forward with the same insight into this man’s life that I want to share.
I loved everything about this man. His documentaries were by far my most favorite. His love of life and family which he openly displayed was an example to all of us on how to “live and love”.
His legacy should be that he was the “role model” everyone should emulate, especially children. The absolute best. I still can not think of anyone better. There are far too many “less than desirable” people presented to us as role models by way of politics, TV and music. His work in conservation should only stands as an example of how he lived and loved. Let me briefly explain what my beliefs are based on.
As part of my explanation, I never understood why Steve took so much criticism for taking his son with him to feed a croc. Why didn’t they see Terri hand Bob to Steve? Why would Terri give her one month old son to Steve if she thought they were in danger? Why didn’t people see the croc swim away from Steve when he finished feeding the croc?
Please, give the man credit for having some brains. After all, he was smart enough to entertain us all and make us believe in what he believed in by using “a sense of danger”.
Many have commented about the risks he took. Yet, why didn’t they see the programs I did that showed the “behind the scenes” precautions that he took…and the many “retakes” he did to get the scene “just right”.
He never had any acting lessons. He was an absolute “natural” in front of a camera. A talent that can not be taught.
I always resented people saying that “a croc would get him” because they didn’t see the theatrics involved. His death is clearly a freak accident. What are the chances that the stingray would have hit Steve in the chest? A million to one?
He was truly one of a kind and I will miss him and grieve that our future generations will not know him first hand the way we did. I am grateful that most of his live is preserved in film.
Will there ever be anyone who could fill his shoes?
My sincere sympathy goes out to his entire family, including those that worked with him and for him.
September 4th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
I guess he died doing what he loved to do. Not a lot of people can say the same about the manner of their deaths.
September 4th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Carol Ann, a very touching tribute. Thanks.
September 7th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Never has an “ordinary bloke” touched so many people on this planet. There was nothing ordinary about him and he will be sadly missed. I can only imagine the loss that his family and friends must feel. May God be with them. The Croc hunter will live forever in our hearts.