R.I.P. Steve Irwin

[crucified]

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified.

Irwin, 44, was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He and his American-born wife Terri Irwin became popular figures on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture of live crocodiles.

Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following.

But his image suffered a setback in 2004 when he held his then one-month-old baby while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo.



article link... http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/04/australia.irwin/index.html

[the_frog_man]

Wow,
Truly the end of a era
He was a smart great man and in despite of the incedent with his child he was still a revolutionary in the field of herpetology and herpoculturing
He was the one that made me decide to buy my first amphibian
May he rest in piece
Goodbye.




thanx froggy

[Sasuke]

Killed in action!
Exactly how he would have wanted.
What a great guy, the work he did promoting reptiles was fantastic.
He will live on through my Ball Python which I named Irwin this morning :)

[Lupicide]

I find this incredibly depressing... he should've lived another 20, at least. :(

Also, from what I gather, stingrays don't kill that many people. Should've been something a bit more interesting. :grumps:

[Reticsrule]

this is such an unfortunate event! he was so young and with his attitude im sure he would have been active in animal rescues and such for 20 or 30 more years at least.

goodbye and RIP Steve-O:(

[crucified]

it's such an unfortunate death... he was a great icon to the reptile world and all the work he's done with animals in general...
he will be greatly missed by millions....

RIP Steve

[crucified]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/04/australia.irwin/index.html

[gonesnakee]

Well that sucks, but is part of the game he played. RIP Steve you will be missed by herpers everywhere! Mark

[Voodoo]

I still cant belive he's gone. I may of not been a huge fan but he was a great.

R.I.P Steve we all will miss you

[kat_kies]

Its a shame that he died but i am more sorry for his family he was there shooting that footage apparently for his daughters new show on bbc for kids.I'm afraid in the end she will blame herself as most children do when tragedy strikes. It will be a long time before the family will be at peace it was so sudden and unexpected.

[joey]

What a tragedy!

His unusual death ( dying from a sting to the heart ) somehow makes it seem poetic. He won't be forgotten. I thought Steve was wonderful and know of many children who adored him and his way of teaching.

Peace to his family.

r.i.p.

[Wildkingdom]

RIP Steve always remembered for your compassion and enthusium. The best to thoes who are left behind

[drew03]

To there man that knew more then anyone in the world about reptiles. To the man who taught us all something we never knew, Who would put his life on the line for the animals. To the greatest T.V host and the proudest father there ever will be. For teaching us all about the animals of the world and bring us up close with animals we may never have seen otherwise.
so the next time you are out please raise a glass to the man we all know and love.
R.I.P good man maybe one day I will get to see you and shake you hand.

[Pambo]

He was a great man, its so hard 2 get around his death, i feel like like i'v lost a friend as i bet alot of ppl do.....
R.I.P Steve u'll never be dead 2 us

[snakemanward]

I feel this has been a tragic loss to all the herpers around the world. I have been watching his shows for years and I have also met him twice, when I used to do courier work for the Life channel a few years ago. I felt he was one of the best people out there in this world of ours. The Loss of Steve Irwin makes me feel like a big ugly hand has punched through my chest and ripped out my heart.
I will miss you Steve. I wish Terri well and hope for her and the children Steve has left behind.

R.I.P. Steve Irwin

[sassysnake]

My you rest in peace forever, Steve Irwin!
It was truly a loss to our world the day that Steve Irwin died in the field, doing what he loved. We will probably never be able to measure the good that he did for the animal world, especially the reptilian world, but more improtantly the awarness that he brought to the world about such a feared and avoided section of the animal kingdom. May he be present every time a child has their first reptilian encounter and another herp lover is born, or every time the fingers of someone with a fear meet snake skin for the first time............ You will be sorely missed, but never forgotten Steve.................the energy and love that you put into everything you did was so contagious, and probably touched more people then we can count. Goodbye...