[Zorah]

Eastern Australian Time
September 4, 2006 - 3:31PM

Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, has died after being struck by a stingray barb in Queensland.

Mr Irwin, 44 died after the stingray barb went through his chest while he was shooting a documentary off Port Douglas.

The Queensland Police Service has confirmed Mr Irwin's death. In a statement, it said Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung by a sting ray at Batt Reef, off Port Douglas, about 11am.

After being struck, Mr Irwin's crew called for medical treatment and the Emergency Management Queensland Helicopter responded, but he was dead before the treatment arrived.

The statement said Mr Irwin's family has been advised.

His American-born wife Terri is reported to be trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.

A spokesman for the Queensland Ambulance Service said officers attended the scene on Low Isles via helicopter at 12.04pm today and arrived back in Cairns at 12.53pm.

"The area it was delivered to was the problem. A sting ray hit to the chest is a big problem," he said.

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.

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

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.

A spokeswoman for Irwin's Australia Zoo said she was aware of reports of his death and the zoo would not be making any statements at this stage.

According to the zoo's website, Irwin was born in Victoria in 1962, but
moved with his family to Queensland in 1970 when his father, Bob, started a reptile park on the Sunshine Coast.

Irwin married American Terri Raines in 1992 after she visited the zoo
on holiday.

theage.com.au, with AAP

<font color="#880000">VALE STEVE IRWIN</font>

[PasDeDeux]

how sad

[zombiette]

Just heard of that myself how sad, he was pretty cool

[January]

I just read about it on msn.com and am horrified and so saddened.

Jan

[EJ711]

Hi All,

A great loss for the animal world. My impression is that he has lived a full life, albeit only 44 years.

EJ

[Zorah]

A true lover of all wildlife

A tracker & observer of remarkable ability

A protector of the endangered

Passionate about bringing the truth about the ecology to the people of the world

One of those few who can communicate his passion to others on TV & in life.

He will be missed.

[eskielover]

I have always loved watching Steve Irwin. I found him to be the most interesting person.....always with awsome information about the animal world & a person that was completely full of energy that can't be compaired.

I followed watching him on TV on the animal planet channel everytime he was on. I always thought if he was to die, it would be a Crocodile that would get him. It is so sad that he would have lived except for where the sting ray hit him.

This is a great loss for his family & all the animal kingdom that he loved so much.
Debbie

oh man that is so sad, my son is going to be devavastated he loves crocodile hunter.

[drunksunflower]

Did anyone see him the time he put his baby in front of a crocodile?



But indeed, he did some wonderful things.

At least he died doing something he loved which is more than many people can say.

[Estee1]

I saw it on tv. I am so sad that he died. He was awesome. He was so passionate. I wish that I had been to see him at the zoo. Some of my friends have. I loved that guy. He was certainly very daring.

A special guy indeed! Carried such an extraordinary love for nature and animals. He had a certain glow...

[dcs_no1_fan]

He will be sadly missed

[Evangelista]

I will miss his raw unbridaled passion for adventure, wild life, and just life itself...that man knew how to saddle the wind..he will be missed...my deepest sympathy to his loving wife and child..he really brought so much of himself to the world..to me he represented the Aussie spirit..I will really miss that wonderful adventerous passion he shared with so many....

[Fuzzybear]

So sad

[OneAndMany]

How very sad--he was a wonderful man with such a passion for living life. He will be missed.

[jbug]

I saw this this morning on Good Morning America. I was saddened and hope that his family is dealing with this well.

Jbug

[Perna]

Only 44. Hard to believe. Really bad "outtake." Such enthusiasm for life. God bless Terri, Bindi Sue and Bob.

[bebop]

It feels strange to say the least. My hubby and I watch him every night during dinner. My prayers are with Terri and his kids right now.

Steve rest in peace my friend!

[hillbunnyb]

wow, I've never seen the show, but, holyl guacamole, a stingray jab through the heart!?!?!?!?!?!?! Wwie zowie, was his number up or what? Like they say, "When it ain't yer time it ain't yer time, but, when it is yer time, yer gonna go."

[January]

I just watched an interview, and it was stated that there have only been 17 deaths world wide from stingrays.

Jan

[darkeyes]

I just heard this before too,on the news,it is all so sad.
I hope his wife and family will continue with the park and research.
I always felt he was going to go out by being attacked by a croc,not this.
He was sort of kooky,but still admirable of his devotion to preserving or attempting to,wildlife.
My heart goes out to his family.

[SeptemberMorn]

I saw that on the news last night. My impression of him was that he always lived on the edge. Personally, I wouldn't have taken those risks with my life, especially having a family. He owed his family his life. They need him!

The news comentator said in his report that I saw that it was just a matter of time and I agree with him completely. My prayer is that he didn't suffer as badly as if he'd been mauled by a croc.

The stunt he pulled with his baby in his arms made me lose a lot of the respect I had for him. It's one thing to play with your own life, but it's quite another to play with the life of your child!

I can't even imagine having been even a close friend of his. I would be so traumatised and angry at him!!

The Earth and Nature has lost a good man!!

Rest In Peace, Steve Irwin.

[Sabrina]

My son, who has taped all of his programmes and who has gained invaluable knowledge of wildlife (snakes in particular), and who did not see that baby episode, burst into tears when we broke the news to him.

Sigh.

My thoughts are very much with his wife and children right now.

[Sarah116]

I heard I was stunned, I never seemed to think about that. Then when it happened I said "WOW!, what do you mean?!" That must be sad for Terri, Bindi Sue, Bob and the Croc crew!

[ster]

I,m sorry he is gone also. I dont know if I would temped death on every show. something is bound to go wrong at some time.