Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin Killed
A freak accident has claimed the life of Famed Australian Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. While filming a documentary, he was struck in the chest by a stingray barb that penetrated his heart. He was 44 years old.
Irwin, 44, died this morning after being fatally injured while filming a nature documentary off Queensland.
The news has shocked the nation and prompted a rush of tributes from politicians and the public alike.
Irwin's wife Terri was in Tasmania at the time of the tragedy and had to be contacted by police with the terrible news.
The couple's daughter Bindi, 8, was with her father in north Queensland, Irwin's manager John Stainton said from Cairns.
Choking back tears, Mr Stainton said Irwin had gone “over the top of a stingray and a stingray's barb went up and went into his chest and put a hole into his heart”.
"He possibly died instantly when the barb hit him, and I don't think that he … felt any pain.”
Professional diver Pete West was on board a nearby boat and was asked by Irwin's team to call in the emergency.
Asked on Channel 7 if Irwin was alive when they got him on his own boat, Mr West said: “I believe so.”
"He was doing what he did best and unfortunately today he wasn't quick enough."
Dr Ed O'Loughlin was aboard the Emergency Management Queensland Helicopter which was called from Cairns at 11.21am (AEST).
Irwin was being given CPR at Low Isles, off Port Douglas, as the helicopter arrived less than one hour after the incident, but Dr O'Loughlin said nothing could be done to save him.
"It became clear fairly soon that he had non-survivable injuries," Dr O'Loughlin said.
"He had a penetrating injury to the left front of his chest. He had lost his pulse and wasn't breathing."
Mr Stainton admitted he had always feared Irwin might meet his death while working with wildlife, but added that Irwin himself was never scared.
"We've been in some pretty close shaves. (But) nothing would ever scare Steve or would worry him. He didn't have a fear of death at all.”
My kids used to watch his show quite often. May he rest in peace.
UPDATE: Some facts about stingrays here.
World news | Gaius Monday, 4 September , 2006
By MiddleAgedDCrazy, Monday, 4 September , 2006 @ 8:08 am
I doff my hat to Steve Irwin and say :Crikey” in his honor.
The man truly appeared to love what he was doing.
While it is a loss, it is probably a fitting end and one of which he would approve.
Posted by Middle Aged Crazy at Middle Aged Male.com - The Website for Middle Aged Men