Oh Crikey! The crocodile hunter is Dead!

[meat01]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20349888-2,00.html

You would think that he would have died from a crocodile or a snake bite. Apparently, a sting ray barb went through his chest

 

[Jasper994]

Stingrays can mess you up too... Very sad, but not surprising.

 

[feh1325]

its like saying blue man group died

 

[Wmcmanus]

Really sad news. I swim with stingrays on a regular basis, as do tens of thousands of visitors in the Cayman Islands. I'd like to learn more about this, and suppose details will come out eventually.

 

[Aman]

‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin dies
Naturalist reportedly killed by stingray barb


SYDNEY, Australia - 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.

 

[Edwood]

He died doing what he loved.

Rather ironic that with all the taunting of deadly crocs and snakes, that he met his end with an animal that is normally not aggressive.

Sad news nonetheless.

-Ed

 

[pabbi1]

This puts a real damper on the Stingray island thing for me (by proxy) when I hit the Caymans - irrational or not, no way does the wife ever consider in the water with stingray now...

 

[Bob_McBob]

I suspected a hoax at first (I mean, it is pretty random), but apparently some news sources have actually done fact-checking instead of just re-reporting. CNN's latest report says "Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified."

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meat01 Apparently, a sting ray barb went through his chest

Not through his chest, but he was stung in the chest.

Stingray stings are normally not lethal, but if you are unfortunate to be stung in the chest or abdomen, it can be fatal.

Normally you get stung in the leg or foot if you step on them, that is why it is best to "shuffle" your feet when wading.

-Ed

 

[seanohue]

thats so sad. I did a skit in 5th grade where I acted like him.

 

[hugz]

Geeeeez thats bad

some people you never expect to die

even if they do spent all day with deadly animals

his poor wife and children. his poor children.

 

[virometal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugz his poor wife and children. his poor children.

Yeah, my first thought was for his wife, who most likely was there filming with him. Well, she did the Hunter shows with him anyway.

First Grizzly Man now this. It appears that nature is fighting back.

 

[vapman]

D:

that really sucks. he was such a positive and enthusiatic guy, always made me happy to see him on tv. died doing what he loved though

 

[mbriant]

Quote:

Not through his chest, but he was stung in the chest.

CNN's saying "through".

 

[F1GTR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood Not through his chest, but he was stung in the chest. Stingray stings are normally not lethal, but if you are unfortunate to be stung in the chest or abdomen, it can be fatal. Normally you get stung in the leg or foot if you step on them, that is why it is best to "shuffle" your feet when wading. -Ed

I think he was referring to what the news report stated. If you click on the link in the original post, the second paragraph reads:

"It is understood he was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest and reportedly into his heart."