[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Sept. 4, 2006 — Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.
Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, shooting a segment for a series called "Ocean's Deadliest" when he swam too close to one of the animals, which have a poisonous barb on their tails, his friend and colleague John Stainton said.
"He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.
Crew members aboard the boat, Croc One, called emergency services in the nearest city, Cairns, and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later, Stainton said.
Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword "Crikey!" in his television program "Crocodile Hunter." First broadcast in Australia in 1992, the program was picked up by the Discovery network, catapulting Irwin to international celebrity.
He rode his image into a feature film, 2002's "The Crocodile Hunters: Collision Course" and developed the wildlife park that his parents opened, Australia Zoo, into a major tourist attraction.
"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton told reporters in Cairns. "He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!'"
Prime Minister John Howard, who hand-picked Irwin to attend a gala barbecue to honor President Bush when he visited in 2003, said he was "shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death."
"It's a huge loss to Australia," Howard told reporters. "He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."
Irwin, who made a trademark of hovering dangerously close to untethered crocodiles and leaping on their backs, spoke in rapid-fire bursts with a thick Australian accent and was almost never seen without his uniform of khaki shorts and shirt and heavy boots.
His ebullience was infectious and Australian officials sought him out for photo opportunities and to promote Australia internationally.
Irwin's public image was dented, however, in 2004 when he caused an uproar by holding his infant son in one arm while feeding large crocodiles inside a zoo pen. Irwin claimed at the time there was no danger to the child, and authorities declined to charge Irwin with 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.
Stingrays have a serrated, toxin-loaded barb, or spine, on the top of their tail. The barb, which can be up to 10 inches long, flexes if a ray is frightened. Stings usually occur to people when they step on or swim too close to a ray and can be excruciatingly painful but are rarely fatal, said University of Queensland marine neuroscientist Shaun Collin.
Collin said he suspected Irwin died because the barb pierced under his ribcage and directly into his heart.
"It was extraordinarily bad luck. It's not easy to get spined by a stingray and to be killed by one is very rare," Collin said.
News of Irwin's death spread quickly, and tributes flowed from all quarters of society.
At Australia Zoo at Beerwah, south Queensland, floral tributes were dropped at the entrance, where a huge fake crocodile gapes. Drivers honked their horns as they passed.
"Steve, from all God's creatures, thank you. Rest in peace," was written on a card with a bouquet of native flowers.
"We're all very shocked. I don't know what the zoo will do without him. He's done so much for us, the environment and it's a big loss," said Paula Kelly, a local resident and volunteer at the zoo, after dropping off a wreath at the gate.
Stainton said Irwin's American-born wife Terri, from Eugene, Ore., had been informed of his death, and had told their daughter Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, who will turn 3 in December.
The couple met when she went on vacation in Australia in 1991 and visited Irwin's Australia Zoo; they were married six months later. Sometimes referred to as the "Crocodile Huntress," she costarred on her husband's television show and in his 2002 movie.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by WVGrandma4Kasey

Sept. 4, 2006 — Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.
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Stainton said Irwin's American-born wife Terri, from Eugene, Ore., had been informed of his death, and had told their daughter Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, who will turn 3 in December.
The couple met when she went on vacation in Australia in 1991 and visited Irwin's Australia Zoo; they were married six months later. Sometimes referred to as the "Crocodile Huntress," she costarred on her husband's television show and in his 2002 movie.

<sigh> Sometimes you eat the lion; sometimes the lion eats you.

R.I.P., Steve. You were an very entertaining guy. (Though I believe you gave parenting lessons to Britney Spears, which didn't work out especially well) There is a wonderful Yiddish word which describes Steve perfectly, mishugeh. With all respect and reverence. it fits Steve Irwin's on-screen actions like a glove.

[AZAggie]

He will be missed.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Yeah , I saw that this morning...here is a guy who would grab an African black Mamba by the Tail, among other things...and he is done in by a freak 1 in a million shot from a sting ray. Very upsetting to read.

[epic37311]

wow . hard to belive

[Dupont4five]

I use to love his show, thats too bad

[TN_Gal]

I was both shocked and saddened to read this today. My prayers to his young family. The world of animals needs 1,000 more like him. He was a true naturalist.

[Quality88]

http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZNxpt237YYUS

[stephanie]

i know i found that so sad, i couldn't believe it, i grew up watching his show.Its so sad he left a wife and two young children, its a shame

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Some of you may want to check this web site from Irwin's home country.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Irwin#Death Quite a bit of history.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by WVGrandma4Kasey

Some of you may want to check this web site from Irwin's home country.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Irwin#Death Quite a bit of history.

It ain't working G-ma. It must be getting slammed... it keeps coming up the server is busy.

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

just worked for me keep trying.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by WVGrandma4Kasey

just worked for me keep trying.

There it goes. Thanks G-ma.

[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Originally Posted by Quality88

There it goes. Thanks G-ma.

Ok, Also there is some personal information from Rodeo OZ, starting with post 12 in the Aussie Boys in Action Thread in the rodeo forum.

[carlab68]

This really mad me sad. My husband forced me to watch his show for years. I was watching when his kids were born and when his dog died. I have a lot of respect for what he and his wife and crew do. He and Terri seemed to be true soul mates. I am sad for her and their kids.