Newsflash - Steve Irwin Killed

[33South]

headlines just says by a stingray when filming in Cairns.

[CoombellKid]

THE Crocodile Man, Steve Irwin, is dead. He was killed in a freak accident in Cairns, police sources said.
It is understood he was killed by a sting-ray barb that went through his chest.
He was 44.
He was swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas filming an underwater documentary when the incident happened.
Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality this morning at Batt Reef off Port Douglas.
It is understood Mr Irwin was killed around midday, Eastern Australian time.


Very sad news, our thoughts go out to his partner and children. He was certainly a character, a true
aussie larriken in the best sense of the word, even if he was a lil mad. RIP Steve

regards,CS

Rob

[mickoking]

At least he died doing what he loved best. My condolences to his family, friends and many fans around the world.

[h0ughy]

Crikey, I just heard the news!!!!!!!!!!!

[wavelandscott]

My first thought too...

Wow, what surprising and unfortunate news...love him or not he was an Australian icon oversea (with the likes of Paul Hogan etc.)...

My sympathies go out to his family...

[matt]

That's a shame.

He wasn't my "cup of tea" ... but I admired his passion and appreciated his desire to showcase Australia to the rest of the world.

Somehow, you always new he wouldn't have a routine exit from this world.

RIP Steve

[Striker]

Dam...I love that guy....I went to Australia Zoo just last year and got a glimpse of him ridding around the park on his trail bike.

Very sad news.

[ving]

gee...

he was so annoying but i loved his personality. he'll be missed for sure.

[iceman]

I liked him, I thought he was great.

I imagine there will be some footage of it though, and i'm sure it'll make the news at some stage.

[Omaroo]

A real shame. He was the larrikin that other countries - especially the USA - knew Australia by. Even though his wife understood that he played with death everyday, I doubt that she'd have seen this coming.

Condolences to their family.

[davidpretorius]

being a young dad myself, i can't get the thought of his little kids faces out of my head.

tragic!

[JimmyH155]

Who would have thought it would not be a croc. One of Australia's best. Condolences to all the family.

[dhumpie]

I thought it was a joke at first but later learned that it was real. Truly shocking news. We have lost a great conservationist! Condolences to his family....

Darren

[fringe_dweller]

bizzare!! apparently only the third recorded death by stingray in australia's history!!?? what the..!! the khakied one is gone!

I was not a massive fan of the guy, but one piece of footage from his shows from years ago has always stuck in my mind, it was when he was chasing and catching a gigantic 20 foot long king cobra somewhere in asia - possibly malaysia/phillipines? very surreal dreamlike footage - it was so big and mean it just didnt look real. thats when I began to understand his courage and appeal fully.

[mattweather]

Crikey!!!!! Steve Thank you for support Australia in past years, well done for your great job in Australia History for wildlife Nature! HIP Hooray! HIP hooray!

Now it very incredibley shocking now:( Now can we have life without him? NO! I want him back! For nature we can't:(

NOTE: Who's our next crocodile hunter?

[robagar]

often wondered if it's safe to snorkel around the Low Isles as they're not far from shore, and crocs have been spotted nearby. But killed by a stingray...bloody hell!

[Lee]

I remember that cobra footage - scariest damn snake I've ever seen!!!

He annoyed the you-know-what out of me at first, but he did grow on me....

RIP Steve.

[EzyStyles]

geee's! he was a good man. i love watching his show. very sad indeed.

[lost_in_space]

I couldn't warm to the guy when he first appeared on the scene, but I did a complete 180 after watching him being interviewed by Andrew Denton. A sad loss, and my heart goes out to his kids and wife.

[RB]

Sad indeed !

[jjjnettie]

Truely shocking news. My heart goes out to Terri and the kids as well as the workers at his Zoo who were so close to him as well.
Love him or hate him you just had to admire his passion for his kids and the wildlife.
I agree, the Andrew Denton interview really let you know the real man.

[Dennis]

This is truly shocking and wholly unexpected news. He was a man who lived his life fully, with an infectious passion and trod his own unique path. His contribution to conservation was enormous and his “one off” character endeared Steve to my wife and me.

We feel so much for his family, his friends, the people at Australia Zoo and the people he touched world wide with his amazing Aussie character and one pointed passion for nature.

Steve – you will be missed. May your soul rest in peace. God bless your family, they will need strength and love to come to terms with this most awful tragedy.

Dennis

[acropolite]

Saddening news, IMO a great loss to this country.

[digitaljedi]

I have got to say that I am stunned that he is gone. Sure, he was easy to take the mickey out of and lampoon, but in the end, I must say that I was envious of the guy.

His job was his passion and his energy in pursuing that passion was boundless. I wish I had a 1/3 of his energy and passion for life.

My condolences go out to his family, especially his kids loo sing their dad one day after fathers day.
:shrug::sadeyes:

[jjjnettie]

For those that missed the Andrew Denton interview, the transcript is here.
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s960998.htm

[seeker372011]

very sad

My family and I visited Australia Zoo the day he inaugurated the new croc stadium that he built a couple of years and he did a show that we will never forget..

[leon]

I was shocked at the news of the death of Steve, not that i really took to his shows, but it makes you wonder, how short life really is, and what is going to happen the next day you see the sunrise.

Live life to the fullest, you may not be here tomorrow.

Leon

[netwolf]

Shocked and sad to hear such a person is no more with us. Truely a rare individual who does not just speak about conservation and the environment, but actually educates people about it. Even more rare is the way he entertains to make the subject more engaging to the average person. The word larikan personafied.

Out thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Regards

[norm]

Love him or hate him, he was unique and quirky. Even sadder is knowing that he left behind 2 little kids.

I hope his legacy continues. He will be missed.

R.I.P.

[TidaLpHasE]

A very sad day, it is still hard to believe he has gone.

It was his full on antics and being a ratbag that i liked, he was who he was, and wasn't afraid to show it.

I actually admire those who can be themselves in all aspects of their life, and to me, Steve was a character larger than life who put all his energy into something he loved, and also a great cause for future generations, the environment and the protection of the animals in it.

My thoughts are with his wife and kids.

Rest in peace.

[Ric]

A truly great Australian.
He will be missed

[janoskiss]

Denton interview was rebroadcast tonight (last night really). Steve Irwin really comes across genuine in that interview. I always thought the whole Steve Irwin character was just an act, a put-on not unlike American wrestling. After watching the Denton interview, I reckon he was for real. (allright, maybe making a bit more effort for the cameras every now and again but basically genuine.)

I heard on ABC 702 Sydney in the afternoon that he was shooting a nature documentary they were going to call 'Sea's deadliest' and they were doing a segment on stingrays when one got him. On Lateline, a marine biologist (I think) said that he could find record of a total of around 30 people in the world who have been killed by a stingray, ever. Steve Irwin was very very unlucky.

[cahullian]

A sad loss of one of natures true gentlemen.

[johnno]

Yes,
I also admit I wasn't keen on the bloke,until I realised he wasn't JUST a showman,but indeed,a great lover,and Carer for our wildlife.

After watching him many times on tv,I realised he was a true believer in what he did,and if he made money from it,GOOD ON HIM.

A very sad loss,for a great Ambassador,for our country,and it's wildlife.

My condolences,to Terri,and his young family,how Bloody Sad.

What a waste.

Regards.
John

[iceman]

Got a lot of coverage on the news and current affairs shows last night.. what a tragic accident. I heard this morning that Bindi (his daughter) may have been *with* him when it happened.

[Striker]

Going from the images shown in the last 24 hours....wife and both kids were shown getting on a plane from Tazzy but I could be wrong.

How's the daughter going to feel knowing the documentry was being shot for her series...poor kid.

For anyone that has not been to Australia Zoo it's a great experience...you will be shocked when you see the size of the Croc Stadium they have built...it's more like a sports stadium then something you would see in a Zoo.

[ausastronomer]

Well he wasn't my cup of tea at all, in fact I couldn't stand him.

It was only a couple of weeks ago my wife and I saw him do something stupid on TV and I said to my wife, "it's only a matter of time before something bites or eats him". Well I wasn't far wrong.

I do feel very sad that he has left a wife and 2 little kids behind. No family deserves that sort of tragedy and my condolences go out to his family.

CS-John B

[danielsun]

I had the honour of getting to know Steve and Terry a little whilst i was going out with one of his employees in the mid 90's for a few years and spent a bit of time at the reptile park as it was known then and i can tell you he was truly a top bloke. It really shocked me to hear the news and still find it hard to beleive that Steve with his huge and energetic personality can all of a sudden just not be here anymore. I truly feel sadened by his death and my deepest sympathys go out to Terry, Bindy,Bob their family and all of the staff at Australia zoo.

Daniel.

[astro_nutt]

Condolences to his lovely wife and kids...we have lost a unique person..one who shared his love of nature and life in general...rest in peace mate.

[gaa_ian]

Very Sad indeed, the world needs more people like Steve Irwin.
People who are prepared to stand up for what is right, who have a passion for what they do.
Steve has left the world a better place & I am sure that his legacy will endure.
Who knows how many species will be saved from extinction by his voice to the world & his actions.
Though his family & friends will be deeply shocked, the celebration of his life & achivements will be HUGE !
Rest in Peace Mate !

[Gargoyle_Steve]

The news has been very hard hitting around the Sunshine Coast here where Steve was not just an international legend but he was a Local, and around these parts that's almost more important.

Grant Kenny (the former surf champion, Ironman, etc, and another local legend) flew his private plane up to Cairns today to bring Steve's body back ... Grant flew back into Maroochydore airport earlier tonight. Steve's mortal remains will spend tonight at a funeral home about a kilometre from where I sit and type this now.

Apparently while most people are shocked and saddened there have been a few cases of individuals displaying very poor taste - the worst I have heard so far is that something was written in the guest book at Australia Zoo regarding Steve's passing that was so shocking the entire page had to be removed from the book.

I learned tonight before leaving work that off duty security personnel have been pulled on duty and placed on static duty at the funeral home tonight to make sure that the "peace is maintained".

Love him or hate him, he was a special character who reached millions of people, and who spared no effort, no cost, & no danger to do the things he felt he needed to do. He championed our natural environment and the creatures inhabiting it like few others ever have.

I can't imagine how Terri, Bindi, and Bob must feel, I think we all feel so much for their loss now. Perhaps it's fortunate that little Bob is so young he won't comprehend events the same way. He also won't get to know his Dad face to face as a boy should, but at least he'll have endless hours of footage of his Dad to watch in years to come. At least he can get to know Steve in the same way that we all came to know him.

It's been said that the flame that burns twice as bright, only burns half as long...... Steve's flame burned very, very bright indeed ..... a supernova among a galaxy of us normal stars perhaps?

Rest in Peace Steve ... your good work and legacy will continue, but you will be sorely missed by millions.

[C.]

"It's been said that the flame that burns twice as bright, only burns half as long...... Steve's flame burned very, very bright indeed ..... a supernova among a galaxy of us normal stars perhaps?"

Very nicely put Gargoyle Steve.

I will remember Steve Irwin for his great contribution to the conservation of wildlife and his boundless energy and enthusiasm.

[Dennis]

Even in death it seems there are those that somehow want to get stuck into this great man. I can only assume it is jealousy, fear or simple misunderstanding.

Steve lived through his heart, in a world dominated by people living in their minds. Yes he lived dangerously and paid the ultimate price, and it is most horrible that his family, friends and world wide conservation no longer have him as a dad, husband, friend and wildlife warrior; for a warrior he truly was.

Increasingly we seem to live by the rules, take no risks, guard ourselves for fear of looking ridiculous, would like to help but perhaps don’t have enough passion or courage to commit to a worthwhile cause. When someone like Steve comes along, sure he lived on the edge but boy, what a difference he made. I’m not sure that the powerful, galvanising, global message that Steve preached, through his personal style and passion, would have been effective via a cool, considered and more intellectual approach.

He grabbed our attention and forced us to look at ourselves and what we are doing to our planet in a way that was unique, that was simply “Steve”. For this we owe him big time and I sincerely hope the naysayer’s will come to see this and recognise him for the giant that he was.

In these dark, divided and tumultuous times, we need more Steve’s.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

I watched the "tribute" on channel 7 last night.. while there was some nice footage in there, I thought the sad/sombre music was a bit tacky.

Of course it's a sad event, but I don't know if that's how Steve would've wanted to be remembered.

Apparently he pulled the barb out of his chest before dying.. man what a shock to those that are close to him. Australia (especially the media) makes a habit of cutting down tall poppies, and most of us didn't truly appreciate the work he did or the contribution he made, and what a fine ambassador he was to this country. A lot of people saw his antics, said "what a fool" and dismissed him.

It's only now that he's gone, we're sad about what we're going to miss.

Maybe there's a lesson in there for us all.

[Blue Fire]

Being from the U.S., I can testify to his ambassadorship here. Over the years, I've seen reactions to him range from the absurd to close to worship. But for the most part, reactions to his message and his enthusiasm was respectful if not admirable. Now that Steve Irwin is gone, folks over here in the states are still discussing whether he was crazy to do all the things he did with animals, but none of them are disputing the positive impact he has had on public awareness of our shared international natural treasures - the amazing world of animals.

[Odlaw]

I grew up catching snakes with Steve for his dads Zoo. He has not changed since I knew him and it is a loss for the world.. My friend Che called me with the bad news from Australia Zoo.

He will always be with us.

[mickoking]

Live life to the fullest, too right :thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Interesting to note, they say that the Stingray did not get him. He landed on the Stingrays barb when he dived onto it. Purely accidental death.

Yep, Steve annoyed the daylights out of me too but he was certainly a character.

[TidaLpHasE]

Ken, not sure where you heard that tale, but it is wrong.

He was swimming over it when the ray thrusted its tail upwards.

[ballaratdragons]

Trevor, I heard it on TV 3 times. Thanks for clearing it up. On the day it happened there were all sorts of versions on TV, radio and the net.

Because I'd heard the 'jumping on it' version 3 times I took it to be the truth. That'll teach me to believe the media before the facts come out.

[CometGuy]

Very sad news. My condolances to his family and friends.

We only visited Australia Zoo recently and it is very well setup and tribute to the man.

Terry

[dugnsuz]

As Don Chip said on the Denton interview - Monday night...
"The deeper the love,the deeper the grief."
Thanks for everything Steve - the education and entertainment.

[seeker372011]

I visit some other Astronomy forums and saw people from canada and europe expressing their sorrow and shock..Steve Irwin did mean a lot to people across the world..I think Germaine Greer-who was pretty vicious in the Guardian I thought-may well have been in the minority..most people seemed to have actually liked and admired him

[Dennis]

Hello,

Here is an excerpt from a US Supplier's e-mail to me this morning, when responding to a product query I raised with him:

"Sorry to hear about the loss of your countrymen Steve Irwin. He was very popular here in the states and will be missed by a lot of people including myself."

Seems Steve did leave his mark world wide in spite of the unsavoury comments from Greer.

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

You're right Dennis, in Chuck Wood's email reply the other day he even brought it up and said how sad it was about Steve's death.

[GrahamL]

Greer from the little I've heard out of her over the years is always trying to stir the pot .. IMO..Its very sad the media can't show a little dignity towards a grieving family and ignore this whacko like they do the other 99.9 % of the time.

Steve Irwin DID engage a very large cross section of society
I"d go as far to say as like no other before .. particularly the young kids .
Its a big loss felt by many ..RIP brother !!

[Lee]

Germaine Greer - sheesh, I thought she faded away two decades ago! She should go back in her box and burn some bras.....

I'm sure there are a lot of younger folk saying - "Who the hell is Germaine Greer???"...... :shrug:

[jjjnettie]

I really respect his manager/mate for facing the press and doing all the interviews so as to keep the pressure off Steve's immediate family.
As for those that are being most disrespectful at the moment, I just hope they remember it with shame when they are grief stricken after losing a loved one.

[ving]

greer... yup heard all about that. :rolleyes:

how does that saying go... "if you aint got nothin nice to say, then dont say nothin at all". its amazig what you can learn from a rabbit :)

she really does need to put a sock in it...

[mickoking]

It would be best to ignore femo-nazi's like Greer. She doesn't have anything to say anyway:mad2: . I saw the interview with her last night on ACA (channel 9) and I must say the host (who is he?) was just as bad as Greer. No wonder I usually steer clear of those current affairs (sic) programmes.

[venus]

Steve Irwin RIP: 1962-2006
Steve positively beamed with wildlife!
he will be sadly missed:(

[RB]

Very nice tribute.

:thumbsup:

[Ric]

I always remember one doco he did early in the piece where he was travelling at night up a river in a tinny, he spied a python in a tree and grabbed hold of it then proceeded to tell the viewers how lovely they were and really harmless when the bugger latched onto his arm with one big bite and he calmly kept on talking about how they can get a bit cranky at times with a three foot snake attached to him. The next shot we see is Steve talking about croc's with most of his lower arm bandaged.

The lad was a classic Aussie in all respects

[beren]

What a life Steve led :) his passion, energy and positive influence will be sadly missed

[ving]

this man made the work "crickey" his own. I used to say it all the time... long before steve was saying it on TV and now i feel just the slightest pang of guilt in saying it... whats with that?

RIP steve. :)

[cahullian]

When My son and I went to the UK earlier in the year. Nearly everyone we know asked my son to say with the Steve Irwin enthusiasim "Crickey look at the teeth on that. If he was to bite me I'd be dead." to put on their ring tones. He was muched loved all over the world not just here.

[JimmyH155]

went to Australia Zoo Saturday. Dropped off some flowers etc. It was so impressive and very moving. Thousands of flowers, cards, signed shirts, poems, toys and yes a great croc made out of egg cartons. As much there as for Diana. Yes, he was a great bloke.