And no, he wasn’t killed by a croc. Unfortunately, his wife may not know yet:
THE Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, is dead.
He was killed in a freak accident in Cairns, police sources said.
It is understood he was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest.
He was swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas filming an underwater documentary when the tragedy occurred.
Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality this morning at Batt Reef off Port Douglas.
Irwin’s body is being flown to Cairns.
It is believed Mr Irwin’s American-born wife Terri is trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania and is yet to be told of her husband’s death.
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 has 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.
That’s a shame. Steve was an interesting fellow, but considering his proclivity for extreme animal adventures, I guess I’m not completely surprised. Hat tip Drudge.
Update: Reuters has more:
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Steve Irwin, the quirky Australian naturalist who won worldwide acclaim, has died in a marine accident off Australia’s northeast coast, local media reported on Monday.
Queensland state government sources quoted by Australian Associated Press (AAP) said Irwin, 44, whose television show “The Crocodile Hunter” won international acclaim and popularized the phrase “Crikey”, was believed to have been killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest.
He was filming an underwater documentary off Port Douglas when the accident occurred, the report said.
Sky Television also reported that Irwin had been stung by a sting ray.
Australian emergency officials could not immediately confirm the reports.
Irwin won a global following for his daredevil antics but also triggered outrage in 2004 by holding his then one-month-old baby while feeding a snapping crocodile at his Australian zoo.
Update II: Australia’s Courier Mail:
He dealt daily with all manner of dangerous creatures … giant crocodiles, poisonous snakes, komodo dragons … but it was a less obvious hazard that claimed the life of Steve Irwin.
Irwin had taken calculated risks with all sorts of wildlife for decades, relying on his knowledge of animal behaviour and personal experience to beat the odds.
For someone who spent so much time around killer animals, Irwin seemed to leave a charmed life.
So his demise was all the more shocking because it apparently involved a stingray, an animal regarded as dangerous but not as a killer.
It is understood that Irwin was swimming off the Low Isles off Port Douglas filming a documentary, a task Irwin has carried out on countless occasions.
Yet this time, Irwin, ever so careful around danger, was taken unawares when, apparently, a sting ray he was filming struck out with its tail, the venomous barbs fatally embedding in his chest.
The death brought to an end a career that began with his father’s Sunshine Coast theme park and developed into an international empire in which Irwin was a globally recognised brand.
Working with his American-born wife Terri, and later, children his Bindi and Bob, the Irwin phenomenon continued to grow.
He was as recognised in the USA as he was here, and was one of the best-known Australians on the planet.
Update III: Australia’s News.com:
THE fatal stingray attack on Steve Irwin may have occurred because the animal was startled or frightened, an expert said today.
Victoria Brims, a marine life expert from Oceanworld in Sydney, said the stingray that killed Irwin was most likely provoked.
“I am aware he was filming a documentary and his documentaries are usually very hands on. I can only assume that he had some kind of hands on or close contact with the animal who like us when we get afraid defended itself,” Ms Brims said.
Brims also said that for a sting to result in death the person involved had to be stung close to the heart and also have a reaction to the sting.
“For the most part people get stung on the foot when they accidentally tread on a ray and this can be no worse than a bacterial infection,” Ms Brims said.
“Their barbs are very strong and release poison if touched. It must have got him right near the heart but the barb would not have gone through his chest.”
Update IV: News.com is also saying that a stingray barb is as deadly as a bayonet.
Update V: According to marine experts quoted in ABC News Online, a stingray barb in the chest is almost impossible to survive because of the stingray’s protein-based venom that damages the heart. Seventeen people worldwide have been killed by stingrays and they were all hit in the trunk.
o.m.g r. i. p. I watched the show like the bible… To the time you all met. To Bindy Sue bing borned. and Steven saying its my turn know. To finding out ”Terri Irwin” wow a son…I have follwed your family through thick and thin.. Your show when it came on our house was quiet and still is.. I feel like I have lost one of our best friends!!!. your show gave me inseration. Steve , Terri, Bindi sue, and Bob. You all have a lot of people that loves you… Steve r.i.p hir. And Terri thank you for the wonderful memoies.. Starr…………………………………………
I WAS COMPLETLY SHOCKED TO HEAR THIS. I DIDN’T BELIEVED IT UNTIL I SAW IT ON TV. I THOUGHT IT WAS A SICK JOKE. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT. HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. TODO EL MUNDO LLORA SU MUERTE.
A great man, a hero to all, Steve Irwin! The legend!
http://www.ripsteve-irwin.blogspot.com
this news was very shocking to us my wife is really upset with this tragic news it has been 3 days she talks about it we want to wish our sincere condolences to all irwen immidiat familly grasso lavallee also justin jordan familly mtl quebec canada
Three days, and still a shock. He never wasted one day of his life. How many can say that? He is a remarkable man who will be missed. Condolences to his family, friends and co-workers who loved him so much. The world will miss him!
Our sympathies to Mrs. Erwin, the Erwin children
and the immediate family.
He was the greatest,and we loved watching the T.V. show. He will be sorrily missed.
Gene & Rae Richard
Moncton N.B. Canada.
OMG i cant belive it, Its so sad i loved that guy he was my fav of all. I remember me and my dad watchin him togather there were lots of laughs! We even got an action figures of him and u press the putton and he say ”crikey” and other things he would always say in his shows. steve really was an insperation to millions includin me! He will be missed!Tanks for the enjoyment!RIP!
My heaart goes out to Terri and the children in their time of need.Your husband was a great man who loved all animals and people alike .This world will truely miss him.I only wish we could do something for you and your family.The hole world would love to ease your pain just a little.May GOD be with you.and may you find some peace soon oxoxo Donna
My heart goes out to Steve’s family and co workers. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. My family loved watching him. He taught us all so much about animals and their behaviors. For a show focused on teaching about animals, he made it fun for us all.
He was so compasioante about preserving animals and teaching the world. How can ignorant peoeple make fun of his death? The man was doing what he loved best, out in the wild with natures creatures as he often called them. Knowing Steve he probably was saying to the stignray: Look at that bloke!! Ain’t he a beauty.”
I often thought he would meet his demise at the hands of his beloved crocs or snakes.
To think he lost his life to a sting ray is almost unbeleivable. Perhaps his death will educate people that sting rays can be deadly. I honestly did not know that until Steve’s death.
I feel so sad for his wife Teri and their beautiful children who Steve was so proud of. What a legacy to leave behind.
I hope that his legacy will live on and his hopes and dreams of preserving wildlife goes on in his honor.
Television will never be the same for me again..I truly loved his shows. I am making a donation in his honor to his wildlife orginization.
Crikey Steve, what a bummer that you are gone.
Rest in Peace and God Bless.
My deepest sympathy to Steves wife and children. We are so sad by the passing of this courageous and giving man who brought the most unusual entertainment to many thousands of people all over the world for many years. His shows were addicting to watch as you stood at the edge of your seat and couldn’t wait for another episode.
I especially would like his wife and children to know I can empathize with their tremdous loss of both a wonderful husband and father. I don’t know them personally, but I believe there was so much love between the family. Their journey will be difficult, but I’m sure Steve wherever he is will somehow convey strentgh to them. I wish them courage, peace and much love from all those who will be with them…I truly wish I could do more.
My very best, Eileen
The world has lost an amazing wildlife hero. I couldnt believe it , when I first heard the news. What a tragedy, so young , so much left to discover and share with the world. T he enthusiasm and love for the natural world, thank-you steve irwin for all you shared with us, you will be sadly missed.
aaawww, bless his soul and his family hearts, for he was a good person and so sweet i didn’t kno him but man thats messed up, i feel for his fam. and anyone else that is or has been hurt, but atleast he died doing something he loved doing, he did it from the soul from is heart he had courage and ambition and a love for the wildlife and its animals he didn’t let nothing stop him from doing what he wanted and he did it freely, yeah alot of people thought he was crazy and yeah to do some of the stuff he did he may have been but that was him and which is what set him apart from everyone else and he became his own unique individual…. R.I.P STEVE….much love
Toi M
I love you Steve, and will miss you more than anything, Oh God why did it have to be you..my thoughts and prayers are with you and you’re family, mate..R.I.P
Your a good guy steve bindi good luck with the crocks and bob criky
R.i.p steve and all u fuck heads that are disrerspect him fuk u
i hate that happened. i couldn’t believe it at first. my heart goes out to his wife and kids. it still saddens me to know it happend so tragically
I read the news that Steve didn’t provoke the stingray, but the stingray just came and stabbed him! Poor Steve.. I love his TV shows very much. RIP Steve.. Steve Irwin Memorial is dedicated just for you.
well sorry …. Terry i dont know what to say in my home we all loved your husband he was ……………………………outstanding ………..we are all so shocked ……hope you are ok …we hope you have all the help you need but if you dont…… we dont have a lot but its yours if you need it .we are so sorry for your lose .
Terry and Emma
Steve was a great man. He has the best family ever.
I hope everyone that wants to save animals will make him proud.
Brent, 10 years old
dear Terri, bindi, and bobby i am extremely sorry for your lost i would like to let you know that your partner and father was my hero, if i had money and everything i would put a million bouquets of flowers on the shrine. Terri you will get through this I’m sure you will and you mustn’t let bobby forget his daddy, and bindi stay strong. I’m only 13 i don’t know what you are going through but it must be loads. i have an idea for the zoo if you are interested i thought you could do what Micheal Jackson did put a huge statue in the centre of Australia zoo. i would also like you to know that people on msn(instant messenger) has put turtles on there names in honour of Steve and something like r.i.p Steve i did coz i met him and he was awesome. and another thing they have made a national carky day or week or something in honour of Steve. when i first heard he had died i thought it was a sick joke i thought it was even sadder that half the world knew before Terri did. now i would like to say Steve you are my hero i miss you soooooooo much and the world will be a different place without my man Steve. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
From stevos number 1 fan Louise Mackay 13 years old. Found in Lower Hutt, Wellington, NZ
P.S R.I.P STEVE EVERYONE MISSES YOU
The untimely passing of Steve Irwin is a great tragedy. This has effected my family more than I could have imagined; he has been a great influence on myself and my two boys. The world will never be the same. In the past, I have dealt with this type of emotional pain through music. Being a song writer and composer, I have written musical compositions and songs to honour friends, family, and fallen heroes to ease the pain and commemorate the contributions they’ve made in life. Steve falls under the obvious catagory of “HERO.” Please accept and share with the world this musical tribute in honour of the great “CROCODILE HUNTER” Steve Irwin.. WE LOVE YOU STEVE!!!!
Sincerely:
David James
P.S. – You can visit me at: http://www.davidjamesmusic.net
and download the musical tribute “THE MIGHTY STEVE”
Steve was my hero,my first “friend” all mylife I’ve wanted to meet him,work with him, and now it’s only a dream !!!!!!!!
“CRIKEY” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SED.
I am shocked and sad. I watched Steve Irwin every day and as so many I do not know what to do. It is like the loss of a dear friend. God bless his fsmily and keep them safe…..
poop poo
i loved his show and it made me happy wen we did very brave things and it made me feel breav to and i coulent sleep for two days i also loved his show i relly sad wen i herd about it.It took me 4 street howers to get ofer it
It is a shame Steve Irwin is dead.A big disapointment to us all.The only person that ment the most to me.In my mind he was the bravest person ever to live.I looked up to him,now I really do look up to him,in heaven.God has called him to come home.But he called my HERO to soon.No one will ever mean as much as he did to me.I am sorry for Terri and Bindi.Keep this great talent with animals and zoo’s going.It is a great loss to me and the worls=d.But not everyone had to love him.Hewill always be with me,in my heart.R.I.P. STEVE IRWIN.He will always be with Terri and Bindi,looking down upon.