Posted September 4, 200618 yr Jason Staines September 4, 2006 - 3:25PM Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, has died after being struck by a stingray barb in Queensland. Mr Irwin, 44 died after receiving a sting ray barb to the chest, which possibly caused a heart attack. He was shooting a documentary off Port Douglas when he was struck. The Queensland Police Service has confirmed Mr Irwin's death. In a statement, it said Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung by a sting ray at Batt Reef, off Port Douglas, about 11am. After being struck, Mr Irwin's crew called for medical treatment and the Emergency Management Queensland Helicopter responded, but he was dead before the treatment arrived. The statement said Mr Irwin's family has been advised. His American-born wife Terri is reported to be trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. A spokesman for the Queensland Ambulance Service said officers attended the scene on Low Isles via helicopter at 12.04pm today and arrived back in Cairns at 12.53pm. "The area it was delivered to was the problem. A sting ray hit to the chest is a big problem," he said. Mr Irwin - known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter - is famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!". The father of two's Crocodile Hunter program was first broadcast in 1992 and has been shown around the world on cable network Discovery. He 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. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who used a photograph of his family at Australia Zoo for his official Christmas card last year, hailed Mr Irwin for his work in promoting Australia. Mr Irwin was heavily involved in last year's "G'Day LA" campaign. "The minister knew him, was fond of him and was very, very appreciative of all the work he'd done to promote Australia overseas," a spokesman said. A spokeswoman for Irwin's Australia Zoo said she was aware of reports of his death and the zoo would not be making any statements at this stage. According to the zoo's website, Irwin was born in Victoria in 1962, but moved with his family to Queensland in 1970 when his father, Bob, started a reptile park on the Sunshine Coast. Irwin married American Terri Raines in 1992 after she visited the zoo on holiday. theage.com.au, with AAP OMG i cant believe it. i would have thought he would have died from a Crocodile or snake...
September 4, 200618 yr you plays with fire... one day youll get burnt! oh well...it was always gonna happen..
September 4, 200618 yr It was I guess, he did walk a dangerous line. But he was such a character and I am shocked and saddened to hear that he had died.
September 4, 200618 yr He seemed a decent guy, its a pity that someone like him loses his life in a dangerous profession yet that total prick David Blaine is still breathing
September 4, 200618 yr I really liked watching his programs, you always thought he would get caught out some day, but somehow you never thought he actually would die. What a shame and he was so full of life too.
September 4, 200618 yr OMG, news to me, well... he always walked a dangerous line it was bound to happen at some point.
September 4, 200618 yr This was bound to happen sooner or later really, he was so dangeous and couldn't be lucky all the time. But ah, it's really sad cos I liked him. :( R.I.P. Steve.
September 4, 200618 yr FFS. It's WELL boggin' that he's gone =[, talk about a f*cking legend and a halllfff. It's dead weird as well because I never watched his programmes all that much, the was just...there. </3.
September 4, 200618 yr Sad news :( He was certainly a character and very entertaining. He brought wildlife to people who wouldn't normally watch such programmes. My thoughts are with his wife and two young children.
September 4, 200618 yr What was the biggest shock for me was what killed him, for a man who has spent his life inches away from the jaws of crocs and lions and tigers and so on to die at the hands of what is known as a harmless and docile fish that have only killed 2 people globally since 1945 just seems incomprehensible its akin to a champion skydiver dying after jumping off a chair or something Edited September 4, 200618 yr by Ozzy Osbourne
September 4, 200618 yr The world today has indeed lost one of its true characters. I have watched his shows for a while and found him both entertaining and informative - he's done so much for conservation and he will be greatly missed. At least he died doing something he was passionate about.
September 4, 200618 yr The world today has indeed lost one of its true characters. I have watched his shows for a while and found him both entertaining and informative - he's done so much for conservation and he will be greatly missed. At least he died doing something he was passionate about. Yea. I guess he loved it even when there was danger, his family would have know this also. Pity he was a great character, will miss his programs. I'm sure he inspired many.
September 4, 200618 yr What was the biggest shock for me was what killed him, for a man who has spent his life inches away from the jaws of crocs and lions and tigers and so on to die at the hands of what is known as a harmless and docile fish that have only killed 2 people globally since 1945 just seems incomprehensible its akin to a champion skydiver dying after jumping off a chair or something i agree most people always thought that the crocs would finally get him...but i guess it was just one of those rare freak accidents
September 4, 200618 yr He was an absolute legend & his love of the environment, nature & animals radiated through the TV screen. It is little wonder he has has a deluge of tributes today.
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