Steve Irwin, R.I.P.
Tim Cavanaugh | September 4, 2006, 1:59pm
As reported off-topic and seemingly everywhere else, crocodile hunter Steve Irwin has been felled at the age of 44 by a barb from a stingray. Australia's favorite "larrikin adventurer" received a puncture in the chest while diving in shallow water yesterday off Port Douglas in north Queensland, apparently after surprising the fish. Irwin's wife and children, familiar to fans of his adventure shows, were not present at the time. According to one account:
"The footage shows him swimming in the water, the ray stopped and turned and that was it," said boatowner Peter West, who viewed the footage afterwards.
"There was no blood in the water, it was not that obvious ... something happened with this animal that made it rear and he was at the wrong position at the wrong time and if it hit him anywhere else we would not be talking about a fatality."
The precise cause of death is not yet known, and I'm not sure I could tell the difference between a stingray and a manta ray, though one or the other washed up on the beach when I was a kid and the smell alone could kill you. The ray's 20-centimeter barb could be fatal in a number of ways. Here's a picture of a stingray barb and the wound it caused in the neck of a sea turtle.
Obviously, this death will provide fodder for people who dislike the variety of animals Irwin championed, but it's significant that he wasn't done in by a croc (unless they put the stingray up to it); and it's hard to imagine a more fitting death for the beloved naturalist.
Meanwhile, Jim Fowler is still hanging in there.
And Bill "Mr. Noodle" Irwin is still with us too.
ausruss | September 8, 2006, 9:35am | #
i am deeply, deeply disgusted with a number of comments on this site. they are sick and completely inappropriate. they are posted by people who know nothing about the man or his work, and im sure are basing their entire perception of him by what they saw on leno or dr dolittle.
steve irwin was a great man who cared deeply for animals. he did NOT simply go around provoking animals, making them lash out at him. he worked tirelessly to save the wildlife he cared so deeply about.
the accident with the stingray was simply that: a freak accident. he did not provoke the ray, as has been confirmed by his manager and the cameraman himself.
to all those who are so deperate to see the footage of his death, you are sick. how can you possibly get any form of pleasure or entertainment from watching a man with a family die?
"It's like NASCAR. Anyone that claims they don't watch for wrecks is at least somewhat in denial."
this is nothing like NASCAR. this is not footage of a car being crumpled into oblivion and a driver being carried off to hospital. this is footage of a man who will never be seen again. it is footage of a family who now has to grow up without a father, husband or son. to compare this to a sport is inhumane and sickening.
i know that there is no point arguing with most of you, as you are obviously incapable of emotion or rational thought. i will however say that you are sick, twisted individuals who deserve nothing but contempt from all around you.
next time you think of making a joke about steve irwin, stop. stop and imagine for a moment that you father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband or wife has died without warning, and you now have to support your family without them.
you people sicken me.
chantal hodgins | September 10, 2006, 10:39pm | #
Please have some human decency! Steve Irwin was what is known all over the world as a conservationist, naturalist, environmentalist etc etc, you pick it. He was dedicated enough to care about bringing these important wildlife and conservation issues into as many homes as he could.
He did not dangle his baby son, Bob over a croc (to the loser who still believes this!!), there is other footage aside from what you saw on TV-moron. Steve Irwin led a life far different to most of us, and in turn, raised his beautiful children differently. It is very important for his children to be exposed to wildlife in a far closer capacity than we would our own children. How do you think his eight year old daughter, Bindi holds tarantulas and other 'scary' wildlife without screaming her little lungs out? Conditioning, and devotion to a cause that is SO worthy!
'Grow up' to those who believe they have the right to be so crass about his death. The world is a poorer place without him in it, and his wife and beautiful children are now without a loving, devoted husband and father. What is amusing about that?
I have cried everyday since his death, his children are near the same age as mine, I gave birth to my daughter whilst I was watching Steve on the TV. I looked forward to my children having the opportunity to grow up being more involved in the environment and wildlife, I have only ever bought my daughter one Barbie doll and that was the Zoologist Barbie, with Kharki's and boots on.
To the SICKO who wrote this...
Come on baby! Let's see that ray footage! Yummy! Hurray for the stingray! Steve on a ka-bob, sounds like fun! He gets what he deserved! He provoked animals and used his own baby as a cat toy for the croc! Show me the footage! I wanta see this guy get nailed like a $5.00 coffin! I gotta see it! Yummy!
Comment by: Tim at September 7, 2006 01:13 AM
You are a disgusting creature, I struggle not to wish you got what Steve did instead. You are the death of humanity and should be ashamed of yourself!
To Terri, Bindi, Bob and his Family (Bob and his Sisters), I am sorry for your loss, if I could wish him back, I would wish my whole life for you. For your beautiful children, I look forward to seeing your father shine in each of you and Terri, Behind every great woman is a great man, your heart will remember his love, I am sorry for all of you.
My deepest sympathy and respect for you all.
Queensland Girl
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