Amazon.com Widgets

Monday, September 4, 2006

Oh wow, Steve Irwin is dead: Stingray Kills "Crocodile Hunter"

Steve Irwin, 44, the hyper-enthusiastic, danger-courting Australian wildlife conservationist who gained a worldwide following for his television show "The Crocodile Hunter," was killed by a stingray Sept. 4 while filming at the Great Barrier Reef for a new documentary series called "Ocean's Deadliest."

Mr. Irwin was swimming off the northeastern Australian coastline, 60 miles north of Cairns, when the ray's whip-like tail struck him and the poisonous barb apparently punctured his heart. He was taken by his boat, Croc One, to a rescue helicopter that flew to the community of Low Isle. Despite attempts at resuscitation, he was pronounced dead.

Mr. Irwin was known for getting melodramatically near claws and jaws of land and sea creatures. This was the allure of his television franchise, mostly seen by American audiences on the Animal Planet cable channel during the past decade.

"While most shows use long lenses, we get right up close so the audience feels like they're smack in the middle of the bush," Mr. Irwin told Entertainment Weekly magazine. "One time, a 10-foot saltwater croc grabbed me on the hand and -- whap! -- pulled me into the water. Luckily, I swung around and landed on his head, which gave him a bit of a shock and gave me just enough time to get away."...

I don't care what you say, I liked the guy. Never got sick of him. When his show was on, I always paused my surfing, and talk about a great talk-show guest... Who could believe he'd be done in by an aquatic animal? A stingray through the heart. Wow. Rest In Peace.

5 Comments

RIP Steve Irwin aka crock hunter
I am sad to hear that a personal hero of mine who time in and time again went further off the deep end the in could ever imagine(restling with aligators) has passed away. He served selflessly to the people of Austrilla. With no regard for his personal safty he time in and time again did not hesitate to jump into crock infested waters to tie up an aligator. Or puting a deadly piosonis snake that if bit him would kill before he hit the ground into a trance. He served on the frount lines of our battle with nature. He showed us that we truely are the kings of the jungle. He died in the way he lived his life wrestling with some god knows what animal. It is probaly the way he would have wanted it. We will never forget the dignity that he brought to his job. Or is bravery in tie up some dangours beast. Or the courage conviction and joy that he brought to his job. I think all of us remeber the first time we saw him. When we woundered who is this guy and more importantly why does he have his head in that aligators mouth. His death is a loss. Steve Irwin your candle has burnt out long before your legend ever will.
heisoffthedeepend.blogspot.com

My kids absolutely adored him. 44 years old. Way too young to die. Awful...............

I liked him too. He was a nut, but a good one.

He made life interesting.

I really liked him too.

I must admit I thought he was a bit of a 'lunatic' the way he tackled wild animals.

I said to my wife repeatedly 'he is going to get killed one of these days'.

I'm sure If you had asked Steve that day, which one animal would he must likely die from, I guarantee a Stingray would not have been in the top 50.

I think it really does bring the metaphor about tripping over your back door step, home, when you time comes, thats it.

A very sad affair for his wife and two children.

Aaron

Our six year old great grandson would like a postal mailing address for S. Irwin as he really enjoyed watching his shows and wants to send a card.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Search


Archives
[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]