'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin killed

Shirley · Post: # 32434Post **Shirley** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:37 am

'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin killed
The naturalist worked to protect Australian wildlife
Irwin with tiger cubs
Australian environmentalist and television personality Steve Irwin has died during a diving accident.
Mr Irwin, 44, was killed by a stingray barb to the chest while he was filming an underwater documentary in Queensland's Great Barrier Reef.

Paramedics from the nearby city of Cairns rushed to treat him at the scene but were unable to save him.

Mr Irwin was known for his television show The Crocodile Hunter and his work with native Australian wildlife.

Police in Queensland confirmed the naturalist's death and said his family had been notified. Mr Irwin was married with two young children.

"It is believed that Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung by a stingray at Batt Reef off Port Douglas at about 1100 (0100 GMT)," a police statement quoted by AFP news agency said.

"His crew called for medical treatment and the Queensland medical helicopter responded. However Mr Irwin had died."

The stingray is a flat, triangular-shaped fish, commonly found in tropical waters.

It gets its name from the razor-sharp barb at the end of its tail, coated in toxic venom, which the animal uses to defend itself with when it feels threatened.
Although deadly, such attacks on humans are a rarity. David Penberthy, editor of the Sydney Daily Telegraph, told the BBC he had never heard of anyone in Australia being killed by a stingray before.

"You know we still at this early stage don't know what type of stingray it was, or, you know I guess given the bloke's track record, whether he was getting up close and personal with it as well," Mr Penberty said.

"Or whether it was just a total freak accident and in the course of making this nature documentary he just ended up being attacked."

Documentaries

Mr Irwin had built up what was a small reptile park in Queensland into what is now Australia Zoo, a major centre for Australian wildlife.

He was famous for handling dangerous creatures such as crocodiles, snakes and spiders, and his documentaries on his work with crocodiles drew a worldwide audience.

But he also courted controversy with a series of stunts.

He sparked outrage across Australia after cradling his one-month-old son a metre away from the reptile during a show at Australia Zoo.

A probe was also launched to investigate whether Mr Irwin and his team interacted too closely with penguins and whales while filming in the Antarctic, but no action was taken.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer praised Mr Irwin for his work to promote Australia.

"The minister knew him, was fond of him and was very, very appreciative of all the work he'd done to promote Australia overseas," Mr Downer's spokesman said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-p ... 311298.stm

den_the_cat · Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:43 am

that's very sad

Chickpea · Post: # 32438Post **Chickpea** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:50 am

It is sad, but I always thought it was only a matter of time before something like this happened to him. Perhaps it's a good way for him to go, though. It would have been worse if he'd just had a car accident, at least this fits with his life's meaning. Doesn't he have a small child, though? Such a shame.

Shirley · Post: # 32441Post **Shirley** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:22 am

Yeah - although my daughter summed it up when she didn't believe me when I told her the news.... 'but he's made out of teflon'.... she said.

Yes - he was married with two young children according to the BBC report.

baldowrie · Post: # 32442Post **baldowrie** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:32 am

AOL are reporting the barb went into to his heart. If that is true he stood no chance.

He certainly lived life to the full

PurpleDragon · Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:53 am

I'm gutted - I thought he was great. His enthusiasm for his subject was so infectious. I remember watching loads of his programmes when No1son was wee.

You're right though - it was only a matter of time, but that is the same with everyone who is involved in extreme sports or passtimes. Yeah, I know this was his job, but it was more than that - it was his life. You could say the same about mountain climbers or potholers or whatever.

I think it is a loss.

Andy Hamilton · Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:47 am

He made conservation exciting and put so much energy into what he did. I remember the first time I saw him on TV I thought, 'what a nutter, he is great'. It is indeed a sad loss although he has come close so many times. I hope his wife carrys on with her work. - Didn't they both work at Sydney zoo?

PurpleDragon · Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:04 am

They owned Australia Zoo the last time I heard

Millymollymandy · Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:57 am

Was just discussing this with my brother who heard it on the news - only I've never heard of the guy!

chadspad · Post: # 32479Post **chadspad** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:28 pm

I was gutted to hear the news. Its better that he went like that tho, doing something he loved. His enthusiasm for the animals was amazing - he will be missed

PurpleDragon · Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:13 pm

My son just got home from school (age 6) and asked if i had heard The Croc Files man had died. School grapevine has it that he was in an army helicopter that had it's window open and he fell out. Interesting how 6-year-olds filter the news.

Dave · Post: # 32487Post **Dave** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:41 pm

I found out first thing this morning, I must admit I was gutted - Along with Syd Barrett that's two of my heros gone recently. I agree that is very tragic that he leaves a wife and two young kids behind. I just hope his legacy lives on with Australia Zoo and all the conservation work he's done in Australia and worldwide.

Despite the sadness of his death I think with the energy he had it would be hard to watch re-runs of his programmes without a smile on your face.

Muddypause · Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:47 pm

Well I have to concede to being amazed at these responses. Were you lot realy so touched by him, or is this just what happens when someone famous dies?

Inasmuch as any death is a sad event for those that are affected by it, I gotta say the man irritated the hell out of me, and I thought his TV programmes were contrived and self admiring. Much of what we saw amounted to no less than the unnecessary abuse and torment of animals, some of it disgracefully so, just in the name of entertainment.

I expect Boots and Nev will tell us that Australia is now in a period of official mourning, flags at half mast, black arm bands de rigueur, 24 hour TV coverage full of vacuous people saying "Well, I knew Steve personally..."

den_the_cat · Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:04 pm

well I'm not a huge fan of things like crocodile shows and prodding around of animals, but I think he did do a great deal for conservation and that he genuinely did care about them.

He also had the charisma to make other people care, which is pretty important too.

Hepsibah · Post: # 32500Post **Hepsibah** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:15 pm

Aww what a shame. He was a great teacher who taught millions of people the value of life on this planet, from elephants through to frogs and insects. He made them all seem important, beautiful and fascinating to his students. The world will be a poorer place without him.