Posted on 09/03/2006 9:29:57 PM PDT by lunarbicep
Edited on 09/04/2006 5:53:46 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
He was killed in a freak accident in Cairns, police sources said. It is understood he was killed by a sting-ray barb that went through his chest.
He was swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas filming an underwater documentary and that's when it occured.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Rest in peace, Steve, rest in peace.
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin killed
(stingray barb to the heart per ABC web site))
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060904/ap_en_tv/obit_irwin
BRISBANE, Australia - Steve Irwin, the Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray during a diving expedition, Australian media said. He was 44.
Irwin was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Queensland state when the accident occurred, Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on its Web site.
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. said Irwin was diving near Low Isles near the resort town of Port Douglas, about 1,260 miles north of Brisbane.
A helicopter carrying paramedics flew to the island, but he died from a stingray barb to the heart, ABC reported on its Web site.
Telephone calls to Australia Zoo, Irwin's zoo in southern Queensland, were not immediately answered.
Irwin is famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "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.
Irwin had received some negative publicity in recent years. In January 2004, he stunned onlookers at his Australia Zoo reptile park by carrying his 1-year-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 against him.
My memory of this episode is hazy, it happened about 7 years ago. I hope someone also remembers. Anyways I was nearly asleep and I heard Irwin talking and I turned to the TV to watch him with a snake. The snake bit him. Then he says "this snake bit me, but it's alright he isn't poisonous." I thought it was a comedy skit thing where they were doing a parody, but it turned out it was the real deal. Anyways I might have gotten mixed up here it was a long time ago.
Police say he was stung through the heart by a stingray while diving off Port Douglas
A helicopter arrived with paramedics on board to try to resuscitate him, but it was too late.
Irwin's body is being taken to the morgue in Cairns.
His family are believed to be flying from Brisbane to Cairns this afternoon.
True. However, (and again) having some in the media believe that they have proprietary rights to the personal life events of the famous is a terrible price to pay for success.
Hopefully his wife Terri Irwin was informed of his passing in order for her to have the opportunity to tell their family members, especially their children before they saw it on the news.
I do remember him getting bit by a snake... Not sure there was only one time :~)
Just damn.
He adored those children. Did you see the episode when his daughter Bindi was born?
Sad news indeed. I always loved his enthusiasm.
Damn, I've been out in the waters of Port Douglas, wonder what kind of ray.
There are poisionous ones that are tan with bright blue spots, but they are about as big as a pie pan, and to be stung in the chest, you'd practically have to put it there, they don't swim up and attack divers.
And, obviously he didn't have a scuba suit or skin on.
Weird, you really got to be doing something you shouldn't to be stung in the chest.....
I think when a public figure dies they go right to air or press without making sure family have been informed.
That is part of the price of fame.
I agree with you, but it isn't the way it has ever been that I know of.
"The Australian Broadcasting Corp. said Irwin was diving near Low Isles near the resort town of Port Douglas, about 1,260 miles north of Brisbane. A helicopter carrying paramedics flew to the island, but he died from a stingray barb to the heart, ABC reported on its Web site."
Suffering such a serious injury while being so far from first rate medical care is real bad news. It sure sounds like a freak accident.
For sure, that is why I know he would regret leaving them without their dad.
I can remember when his show first came on, me and my entire family would stay up late on the weekend just to watch him. His show was one of the first that made learning about wildlife fun and exciting.
You were a top bloke and a true ripper, Steve. You will be missed.
Irwin had a puncture wound to the left side of his chest and was pronounced dead at the scene."
Whether he took excessive risks or not, it is indeed evident that he loved animals, all the way from 15 foot crocs down to a little mudworm.
His enthusiasm was completely infectious, and his appetite for life seemed immense.
I thought he was a great showman, a ballsy guy, seemed like a good person and was an advocate for his non-human charges.
Prayers for him and his family. May he rest in peace.
Ever seen the South Park episode that featured him? ;~)
Steve probably didn't even know what hit him, it was over like that. Sad news.
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