Steve Irwin (Crocodile Hunter, R.I.P.)

[OhioState49]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=a4L4NuwpEE3E&refer=australia

By Yuko Narushima
Sept. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Steve Irwin, known as the ``Crocodile Hunter,'' died after being attacked by a stingray while filming a documentary, the Daily Telegraph said.
The 44-year-old television personality died after the sting- ray's barb pierced his chest, the newspaper said on its Web site. The incident occurred near Port Douglas in north Queensland state, the report said.
Irwin began catching crocodiles as a nine-year-old boy, learning from his father who started Australia Zoo, the reptile park he took over in 1991.
A spokesperson for Australia Zoo wouldn't comment on the incident.
Irwin is survived by his wife Terri, and two children, son Bob and daughter Bindi, the Telegraph said. Irwin created a furor in 2004 when he was shown holding one-month-old Bob near a feeding crocodile.

 

[Saw31]

Knew it was only a matter of time... He took too many chances. But I guess he died doing what he loved to do. RIP...

 

[NorthernBuck]

First, this sucks. I liked this dude. Second, you know they had to have gotten this on tape. Third, I think everyone knew it was likely his job would kill him but who woulda thunk it would have been a stingray? I swam with stingrays while in Hawaii. I never thought for a second I was in danger.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Crykey! That sucks...

 

[OhioState49]

Whats really sad is him leaving his family behind. He has 2 young children, and a wife. I wonder if she will quit doing the amazing animal stuff. I mean what if something happened to her?

 

[Steve19]

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.
Irwin was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.
Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified. Irwin, 44, was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He is survived by his American-born wife Terri and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.
Irwin became a popular figure on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture and relocation of crocodiles.

Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catchphrase "Crikey!"

But his image suffered a setback in January 2004 when he held his then one-month-old baby Bob while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo.
In a statement released to Australian media, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed his sorrow and said that he was fond of Irwin and was very appreciative of all the work he had done in promoting Australia overseas.

In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s Australian Story television program about how he was perceived in his home country.
"When I see what's happened all over the world, they're looking at me as this very popular, wildlife warrior Australian bloke," he said, the ABC reported.

"And yet back here in my own country, some people find me a little bit embarrassing. "You know, there's this... they kind of cringe, you know, 'cause I'm coming out with 'Crikey' and 'Look at this beauty'."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/04/australia.irwin/index.html
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[BuckeyeTillIDie]

I just saw this on Yahoo and was pretty shocked.

I always thought he'd get too close and seriously hurt himself or die, but I didn't expect a stingray to be the attacker.

RIP Crocodile Hunter

 

[ScriptOhio]

I always liked his shows. He really loved the animals and did a lot for animal conservation. He will be missed.

 

[osugrad21]

Surprised it actually happened but not really shocked...RIP Steve

 

[coastalbuck]

That is a shame, best wishes to the family and the small children he leaves behind.

 

[LoKyBuckeye]

what a shame.... he knew the dangers but like Saw said... he died doing what he loved.

 

[Hubbard]

Knew it was only a matter of time... He took too many chances. But I guess he died doing what he loved to do. RIP...

He learned from his dad and his dad is still alive, he was always careful. To be done in by a sting ray sucks, a snake-bite or a croc getting a hold of him would've been ways I suspected... Very sad day for me. RIP Steve.

 

[scooter1369]

I enjoyed his show quite a bit. He truly loved the animals he worked with and was damn good at dealing with them. He apparently spooked the wrong stingray. He always knew the risks of his line of work. even if he did cross the line on occassion

RIP Steve. Best of luck to Terri, Bindi Sue and Bob. For a seven year old daughter to lose her dad in that fashion truly saddens me. She's at the age when she needs him most.

 

[BuckeyeRyn]

That is some sad news. He truly was passionate with his work....

Thoughts and prayers extended to his wife and 2 little kiddos. :(

 

[BB73]

I also figured it would have been a crocodile or a snake, not a stingray. I took my kids into the water with dozens of those things and didn't think there was any real danger. They did tell us to be careful not to step on them since it was in shallow water.