The Crocodile Hunter Is Dead

The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, is dead.

Irwin was killed in an accident involving a stingray in Cairns, Australia.

It is understood he was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest and reportedly into his heart .

He was swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas filming an underwater documentary when the tragedy occured.

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) was called about 11am (AEST) and an emergency services helicopter was flown to the crew's boat on Batt Reef, off the coast near Cairns, with a doctor and emergency services paramedic on board.

Irwin had a puncture wound to the left side of his chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Irwin's body is being flown to Cairns.

Tasmania Police this afternoon confirmed his wife Terri was travelling in the state at the time of the tragedy.

A spokeswoman said police had made contact with Mrs Irwin and "passed on a message relating to the death of her husband".

The Irwins have two children - a daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin, eight, and a three-year-old son, Robert (Bob) Clarence Irwin.

Steve Irwin - known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter - was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!".

In an sad twist, it has been reported that his new documentary was aimed at demystifying the stingray.

Irwin's Crocodile Hunter program was first broadcast in 1992 and has been shown around the world on cable network Discovery.

He has also starred in movies and has developed the Australia Zoo wildlife park, north of Brisbane, which was started by his parents Bob and Lyn Irwin.

I cannot help but note the loss of Steve Irwin because my daughter has enjoyed watching hours of Irwin's wildlife shows, most of them on Animal Planet.

Irwin's public persona was one of boundless enthusiasm, love of animals, and calculated risk taking -- usually within reasonably safe parameters.  Occasionally I thought Irwin undertook a bit of an unnecessary risk with crocodiles and other dangerous wildlife, but I could understand that some of those risks were showmanship imperatives of his work.  The Crocodile Hunter was famous precisely because he put himself into precarious situations and used those situations to make wildlife interesting. 

I was touched by one television show involving the loss of a beloved family dog, who had appeared in many of Irwin's productions.  Irwin's love for the dog was obvious as he comforted and even slept on the floor with the dying dog.

Condolences and sympathy to Steve Irwin's family.

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Comments

[Alexis K.]

You are dead,
It has been said,
So many things god has done,
But he shouldn't have taken away this one,
We loved Steve Irwin,
And we all still do,
But we can nolonger see why,
Everything good dies so young,
What was there to do,
But cry and have memories of you.
R.I.P.
P.S.BUT DEATH TORE THE PAGES ALL AWAY,BUT I KNOW I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN SOME DAY.THANK YOU STEVE IRWIN FOR SHOWING ME THE WAY TO MY PASSION FOR ANIMALS ALL OVER.DANGEROUS,NICE,CUTE,KIND,AND SWEET.BUT YOU ARE NOT ALIVE TO READ THIS.ALL I WANTED TO SAY WAS I MISS YOU VERY MUCH.I CRY FOR YOU EVERY DAY.

[Emily Mccall Dickerson]

Steve you were so cool. And I think I know why Terri got married to you. because you were at a zoo and you said I will feed this crock just look at this beaty. and she thought you were so amasing.