Posted September 4, 200619 yr Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin dead By staff writers September 04, 2006 02:14pm Article from: Font size: + - Send this article: Print Email 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. He was swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas filming an underwater documentary when the tragedy occured. Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality this morning at Batt Reef off Port Douglas. Irwin's body is being flown to Cairns. It is believed his American-born wife Terri is trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania and is yet to be told of her husband's death. 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 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. Louise Yates said it was impossible to quantify how much Mr Irwin had meant to the Queensland tourism industry. "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. "It would be difficult to estimate how much he was worth. And it would be difficult to underestimate." She said Irwin had been a larger-than-life ambassador. "It's not just what he brought but what he took with him when he travelled, his passion." Australia Zoo, on southeast Queensland's Sunshine Coast, employs more than 500 people and attracts thousands of visitors every day. But Ms Yates said it would be "unfair and unjust" to put a dollar value on Irwin's worth to the state, because of how much he had given. With The Courier Mail and AAP Wow I'm sure he'll be truly missed. I for one really enjoyed his show...
September 4, 200619 yr Crikey! That is too bad. I didn't like him or his shows but I didn't know him probably a great guy. Poor kids.
September 4, 200619 yr He did alot for the animal everywhere. I for one will miss seeing someone who didn't fear picking up or getting close to any animals.
September 4, 200619 yr wow didnt see that comming, he was a good guy and fun to watch ......? he chased deadly snakes, caught & wrestled with crocs and was basically suicidal...and you didnt see it coming? It was inevitable IMO.
September 4, 200619 yr its not a surprise that an animal killed him, its more surprising that it was a stingray. all his shows are always him on land fooling around with snakes and what not, or wrestling a crocodile. he wasnt in the water very often
September 4, 200619 yr Wow. I thought it was going to be a joke but its true. Thought an Alligator would get him too. Its too bad.
September 4, 200619 yr Author I had read the news on vsf forums and thought it was a joke too. So I researched it and found that article and was like whoa...
September 4, 200619 yr http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/09/04/irwin1_narrowweb__300x458,0.jpg i dont even know what that is, but i almost died of too much awesome
September 4, 200619 yr "Crikey! Ain't she a beauty?" I think it's some kind of giant rodent, if I'm not mistaken... My mother woke me up at 6:30 this morning to inform me of this tragic news. I loved watching Steve Irwin on his many quests to educate the public of rare and endangered animal species. It was a hoot watching him visit NYC for the first time in the middle of winter while wearing his Australian Zoo uniform. He had such a wonderful personality and a warm smile; I found it hard NOT to like him! Rest in peace, Crocodile Hunter. You will be missed by many... *Steve makes Conan O'Brien freak about a snake*(hysterical!) http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=1040 *mourning the death of a friendly croc* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlxJ-UBaTaU
September 4, 200619 yr its a koala I did think that as well, and if that's the case, that is one giant koala!
September 4, 200619 yr The picture boja posted is Steve w/ a Wombat indeed you may be right......some species of wombat do resemble koala bears.....would have been easier to tell if he wasn't holding it
September 4, 200619 yr he swam above a sting ray too close and the barb shot under his ribcage straight though his heart. how was this unexpected?? too bad, he was a good guy -G
September 4, 200619 yr ......? he chased deadly snakes, caught & wrestled with crocs and was basically suicidal...and you didnt see it coming? It was inevitable IMO. well thats true, but he seemed to know what he was doing.
September 4, 200619 yr Finally, I managed to find a clip of Steve doin what he did best - working with crocs!!! (of course, I do believe it was stupid of him to do this in the croc's own environment but, he knew what he was doing and he knew when to quit) http://animal.discovery.com/beyond/player.html?dcitc=w13-501-ah-0000&bclid=44160648
September 4, 200619 yr he died doing what he loved. i mean who could ask for anything more :\ exactly, I agree with you 100% on that one. I'm sure that his wife would agree. I feel bad for her and the kids.
September 4, 200619 yr he died doing what he loved. i mean who could ask for anything more :\ his two children and his wife could
September 4, 200619 yr Now, if "Crocodile Dundee" was put in the same situation, he would have knoifed the stingray before the stingray had a chance. Jokes aside, Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin died doing what he loved. Working with animals and raising people's awareness on the animal's plight was his calling in life. He will be missed. My condolences to his family. RIP, Steve Irwin.
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