Steve Irwin killed

**the 12 th man** · 04/09/2006, 6:32 AM

The famous "Crocodile hunter" was killed in an underwater incident when a Stingray barb pierced his chest.

He was filming a documentary on the Barrier Reef.

One of a kind.

**carrickharp** · 04/09/2006, 7:04 AM

Sad news

Report here

**drinkfeckarse** · 04/09/2006, 7:11 AM

Very sad alright. His enthusiasm was infectious. R.I.P.

**Peadar** · 04/09/2006, 8:00 AM

Entertaining to some, annoying to others but no one can deny his energy and enthusiasm was second to none. He's done a lot of great work and will be sadly missed.

**Wiseguy** · 04/09/2006, 8:16 AM

Sad news alright and what a way to die.I think he is the 1st person to be killed by a ray since the 1940's.Apparently half the world knew of his death before his wife as she was in Tasmania and no one could contact her at the time.I met the guy at his Zoo in 1999 and he certainly was a larger than life character but i think it was more to do with his passion for Crocs in particular more than being a showman.He wasn't everyones cup of tea but he worked hard for what he believed in and you have to respect him for that.

**Pauro 76** · 04/09/2006, 8:29 AM

He's a bit of an entertainer and his enthusiasm endeared him to many. RIP

**Terry** · 04/09/2006, 8:35 AM

He died doing something he loved, and weather people loved him or hated him, everyone respected him for what he did R.I.P. "Crikey"

**Lionel Ritchie** · 04/09/2006, 10:33 AM

Very sad. I think he has a young family as well.

Apparently he was very unlucky in that if he'd been stung anywhere but the torso he'd not only have survived but would've been laughing about it and showing it off to the camera.

**Strabane_Harp** · 04/09/2006, 10:39 AM

Seen on the news there, wasnt the sting poison as such which did it, it was the actualy stab would which pierced the heart.

Terrible thing.

**De Town** · 04/09/2006, 11:38 AM

I always thought that he could end up dying with an injury caused by an animal. Good entertainer though. RIP

**Wiseguy** · 04/09/2006, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

Very sad. I think he has a young family as well.

Apparently he was very unlucky in that if he'd been stung anywhere but the torso he'd not only have survived but would've been laughing about it and showing it off to the camera.

He has 2 kids, a 7 year old and a 3 year old AFAIK.Lots of people get stung by rays and by all accounts it's extremely sore but most people get stung in the leg by stepping on them.

**Terry** · 04/09/2006, 12:26 PM

First person to be killed by a stingray since 1940 !

**Peadar** · 04/09/2006, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Terry

First person to be killed by a stingray since 1940 !

Depending on which expert you listen to.
I heard reports about a 12 year old boy being killed by a stingray in Queensland in 1989.

Can't find info for it on the interweb though...

**pete** · 04/09/2006, 1:35 PM

Certainly one of a kind. I am sure not the first time he has been stung but maybe he used up his luck too many times.

**paul_oshea** · 04/09/2006, 1:39 PM

ya annoying to some would be a good word for describing him, extremely naive and arrogant would be another. does no one remember when he was feeding crocs with his little boy in the other arm?

Anyway he is a big loss to austrialia and to all that watched his show RIP steve.

**Peadar** · 04/09/2006, 1:58 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

does no one remember when he was feeding crocs with his little boy in the other arm?

The man was reared on his parents zoo so what may seem dangerous or reckless to us, could have been every day stuff to him.
That incident was investigated and he was not found to be in breach of safety regulations.

**paul_oshea** · 04/09/2006, 2:07 PM

The man was reared on his parents zoo so what may seem dangerous or reckless to us, could have been every day stuff to him.
That incident was investigated and he was not found to be in breach of safety regulations.

yes true, but that was carried out by the aussies themselves where he is a legend. the whole country is in mourning, got this from an aussie work colleague:

"A huge amount of people back home are seriously upset and in shock over it. It is a really big thing back home (Massive). The prime minister has sent condolences to the family and all the radio stations and TV presenters are talking about what a huge loss it is (members of the public are calling in to talk shows to tell everyone how great he was). Mates all over the country are getting together and going out to have a beer on Steve - to mourn the loss. News internet sites back home are getting more that 4000 hits every hour. He might have been crazy but everyone loved him! "

anyhow now is not the time for this. what is strange is the fact that its so rare to die from a stingray, and with all the other stuff he did you would have expected it to happen from that.

**drinkfeckarse** · 04/09/2006, 2:13 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

, extremely naive would be another.

Don't think you could ever call him that Paul. He was obviously an expert in animal handling. He possibly made it look easy but that would be more down to experience and method. I don't think you can afford to be naive when it comes to handling Crocs,Snakes etc, he wouldn't have lasted half as long as he did if he was.