[NowFloabDow]

WOW!

[Smeaphvalialm]

CRIKEY INDEED!

[eskimosik]

I always hoped he'd get his head bitten off, but now, well, I feel kind of weird.

[JJoon077]

Steve Irwin dead

The naturalist and television star Steve Irwin has died in a diving accident in far north Queensland. He was 44.

Police say he was stung through the heart by a stingray while diving off Port Douglas.

He was filming a documentary when the accident occurred around midday AEST near the Low Isles.

A helicopter arrived with paramedics on board to try to resuscitate him, but it was too late.

Irwin, who was was born in Victoria in 1962, inherited his love of reptiles from his father.

His father Bob was a keen reptile enthusiast and moved the family to Queensland in 1970 to open a small reptile park on the Sunshine Coast.

Irwin took over the family business in 1991 and grew it into Australia Zoo.

In 1992 he ventured into television, making the first series of the Crocodile Hunter.

When the program aired in the United States, he shot to international fame.

Irwin is survived by his wife Terri and two children.
Nature lover

In 2003, he spoke to the ABC's Australian Story about how he was perceived in his country.

"When I see what's happened all over the world, they're looking at me as this very popular, wildlife warrior Australian bloke," he said.

"And yet back here in my own country, some people find me a little bit embarrassing.

"You know, there's this... they kind of cringe, you know, 'cause I'm coming out with 'Crikey' and 'Look at this beauty'.

"Just say what you're gonna say, mate. You know, is it a cultural cringe? Is it, they actually see a little bit of themselves when they see me, and they find that a little embarrassing?

"I'm fair dinkum, like kangaroos and Land Cruisers, winged keels and bloody flies! I think we've lost all that. I think we've all become very, sort of, money people."

He also spoke of his love for surfing.

"You get out there, it's just you against the waves.

"There's no paparazzi, there's no fan base, and it gives me a chance to recuperate and regenerate.

"I think I've actually got animals so genetically inside me that there's no way I could actually be anything else.

"I think my path would have always gone back to or delivered me to wildlife. I think wildlife is just like a magnet, and it's something that I can't help."


http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...9/s1732439.htm

[Thomaswhitee]

We all knew this would eventually happen from the first time we watched his show. Eventually everybody's luck runs out, but it's still sad.

[littlePen]

[quack!]

Steve Irwin, for all his quirks, was an interesting fellow who certainly got me to watch his television programs more than once over the years. Australia has nothing to be ashamed of, per the article posted by TMM.

It's a crying shame what happened to him, but, somehow, I'm just not overly surprised.

Rest in peace, father, husband and crocodile hunter.

Gatekeeper

[stadiaKab]

Tis sad. The news spread fast though. I found out at work about an hour after it happened.

[Sx1qBli0]

I always found his shows too scary to watch. Not because of the crocs, but because of all those times he squatted down in tight little shorts that just plain begged for an escaping nut.

[Kristoferson]

Well alas, he who lives by the sword often dies by the sword. Still, pretty crappy news regardless...

[spapsinee]

He had passion. Pekka, you sum it up extremely well.

[polleroy]

I hope the ray was captured, so that the prime minister can kick it

[YonkFiorc]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
I always hoped he'd get his head bitten off, but now, well, I feel kind of weird.

[Sydaycymn]

Heard about it this morning and wanted to post it, with a better title, mind you but forgot about it.

People who live (and die) with passion.

Dangar!!!Dangar!!!

[opergolon]

Of all the things that can kill you in Australia, this can't have been on many peoples lists.

Sad news.

He had a little kid aswell

[ftpsoft]

What a sad end....:-(

[GutleNus]

yeah he had kids.. just think how great of a dad he was. Man, he's like a little kid in a grown man's body. You can have great games and play with him, I'm sure. That picture posted by the way perfectly captures him

[chuecafressds]

I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but think of this

[rassedgesse]

An Australian soldier died in 1945 after a stab wound to the left heart, sustained while swimming in seawater baths near Melbourne, Victoria. Doctor Who returns... again. At least if he lost his left heart, he'd still have his right heart (unless it was the wrong heart).

[RuttyUttepe]

I think he died the way he wanted to die