September 4, 03:30 PM
Croc Hunter Irwin killed by stingray

Related Video: Steve Irwin dead in stingray attack
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin has died in a freak marine accident while shooting a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.

The 44-year-old is believed to have been killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest while he was diving.



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He was filming an underwater documentary off Port Douglas when the accident occurred.

Mr Irwin's body is being flown to a morgue in Cairns.

It's believed his American-born wife Terri is trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania and authorities are trying to reach her with news of her husband's death.

Melbourne-born 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.

Thanks to his TV programs, Irwin is perhaps the best-known Australian in the United States.

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

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said a call was received about 11am (AEST) on Monday and an emergency services helicopter was flown to a boat on Batt Reef, off Port Douglas, with a doctor and emergency services paramedic on board.

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

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

Bob was involved in a controversial incident in January, 2004, when his father dangled him near a crocodile at Australia Zoo.

Mr Irwin carried his infant son in one arm while feeding a dead chicken carcass to a crocodile with the other hand.

Child welfare and animal rights groups criticised his actions as irresponsible and tantamount to child abuse.

Mr Irwin said any danger to his son was only a perceived danger and that he was in complete control of the situation.

In June 2004, Mr Irwin came under fire again when it was alleged he came too close to and disturbed some whales, seals and penguins while filming a documentary in Antarctica.

Interacting with Antarctic wildlife in a disapproved manner may be a breach of Australian federal and international laws. But the issue ended without charges being filed.

Mr Irwin had close links with Prime Minister John Howard and was a guest at The Lodge during a function for US President George W Bush in 2003.

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.

Mr Irwin also championed many environmental projects.

These included the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, and International Crocodile Rescue.



Met him last year.....sad sad news.....got the info from www.yahoo.com.au

omg, this is so shocking and sad, i used to watch the Crocodile Hunter all the time, i cant believe it, he was so young. im just in complete shock and i feel so bad for his wife and kids...it just shows you how short life is and how quickly it can be taken from you.

that is just awful.i feel so bad for his family!i really liked him,he was always so funny on the jay leno show!!God Bless his family & small children.

that is sad. Thanks for posting

i read about it earlier, i'm still in shock over it to be honest.
He had so much passion for life.

I seen on the AOL news but, I didn't read the story. It is sad. Thank you for posting.

My son and I cried.. he was one of his heros.. My son loves him
He is learning about death. How sad is this.

Many of you may not know this but I was and am as HUGE of a fan of Steve Irwin as I am an LMP fan. I am in totall and complete shock over this. I feel like I have lost a best friend. My heart is broken. Steve Irwin was such an amazing human being. My heart goes out to his wife Terri, his daughter Bindi, his son Bob, all the rest of the Irwin family and all of the people at Australia Zoo. This must be what people felt when President Kennedy was shot or when Princess Diana died so suddenly and so tragicly. The only confort I find is that at least he died doing what he loved. May God bless you and keep you Steve Irwin. I LOVE YOU!

aww i remember when he used to kiss the animals he found and was talking about, it was the sweetest thing, he really, truly loved animals. it was the worst luck becuz i was reading another article and some doctor said stingy ray stings are rarely fatal, but since it pierced his heart, he died instantly.

i apologize. ...didnt see this thread when i posted mine. ...that is terrible ..and ive dived the great barrier and they hide everywhere....thats just terrible.

the sting ray isnt an aggressive animal... very freak accident.. he would have been fine if it hadnt hit him in the chest.

I feel so bad...why did this happen? He loved animals so much and now was killed by one!
Its just not fair...

This is SO BRUTAL!

That is so sad! I used to watch his show all the time when it was on and I' ve always been scared that something might happen to him.
But now that it actually did it's just shocking.
I am so sorry for all those he has left behind, especially his little kids and his wife but also his friends, colleagues and fans.

I never thought that this would ever happen to him. It is freaky,