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.
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http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapc...win/index.html
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