Chips' Fun House ~ View topic

Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin has been killed in a stingray attack near Cairns on Australia's far north coast.

Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at Batt Reef, off Port Douglas, when he was stung while swimming.

Irwin, 44, was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest.

A Queensland Ambulence helicopter was called to Irwin's boat, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Irwin's wife Terri is trekking on Tasmania's Cradle Mountain and was told of her husband's death by local police.

It was understood Irwin's body was being flown to Cairns.

Stingray attacks are considered extremely rare. There have only been two similar deaths reported in Australia.

Irwin once told the Animal Planet website he had had "many, many close calls - too numerous to mention really".

Irwin was best known for his documentary series The Crocodile Hunter, in which he would often exclaim "crikey".

He was born in Victoria and found his love of animals after following in his father's footsteps, volunteering his services to the Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management program.

He spent years living on his own in the mosquito infested creeks, rivers and mangroves of North Queensland, catching huge crocodiles single-handed.

In June 1992, he married American Terri Raines after they met when she visited Irwin's Australia Zoo.

Irwin is survived by his wife and two children, Bindi and Robert.

Irwin's fans in Australia and around the world have begun to mourn the celebrity who had done much to promote environmental conservation.

The tourism industry said Irwin's death was a terrible loss for Australia.

Australian Tourism Export Council managing director Matthew Hingerty said the whole industry was in shock at the news.

"Not only was Steve Irwin a true Aussie icon, he was a fantastic ambassador for Australia and particularly for Queensland," Mr Hingerty said.

"His work in promoting the region, in working tirelessly on nature conservation issues and in building Australia Zoo into one of Australia's "must visit" attractions was a true inspiration to the tourism industry.

"The influence of the Crocodile Hunter name across the world contributed in bringing millions of tourist dollars into Australia and in employing hundreds of Australians."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/060904/23/10ebv.html
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I loved watching his shows and getting a kick out of his crikey, tis a sad day for him. His wife who was from oregon I think from Eugene must be devestated, But its one of the risks that they've both taken being in that kind of work. Rip steve.

Wow your quick, I just heard about this and was going to start a post about it. Sad day for foxtrot, his comrade is dead. Sad

I learned about this through YTMND. I really hate learning about celebrity deaths that way Sad

Real sad.

Yet sort of ironic.
I would have thought he would have died like that Treadwell guy,
Eaten by the animals he loved.

foxtrot didnt like steveo, but i dont think he would have wanted this either.

i hate ppl whos cars have those faded "support our troops" stickers but i would for sure get one of a croc that says "remember the crocodile hunter" on it Smile

Forum Soldier Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 324

I'm really sad, this sucks

bummer... well, you couldn't say that he didn't live a full life. look at all the stuff he's done, and the places he's been! R.I.P croc hunter.

allthough if i were him, i'd be really pissed that a croc didn't eat me...

Well, when you screw around with dangerous animals, its bound to happen. I feel really bad for his wife and kids though. Sad

I love YTMND!

And yes this is very sad.

Yes.....he was a character, but he made ya laugh as you actually learned something.
RIP Steve

For all those that goofed on and made fun of him...he did more for this world as a conservationist and teacher in a day...that some do in a lifetime. You can't watch one of this guys shows without coming away from it with more knowledge than you had before...and his excitement about what he did always perked me up.

RIP Crying or Very sad

Yes it is a sad day indeed. Steve was a great man and did many wonderful things to help protect the envoriment and its animals that inhabit it. To see someone with such passion and dedication to some thing pass on before we got to witness his fullest potential and dreams is a sad thing. Hopefully his family and friends will carry on his dreams and not let all his hard work go to waste. The man is a true insparation and hero to millions and he will always be remebered as such.

R.I.P Steve Irwin. Sad

R.I.P Steve Irwin

he was a jolly good bloke!
I loved his show. he will be missed

I'm happy that he went out doing what he loved.

RIP