Reports: Stingray kills 'Crocodile Hunter'
 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapc...win/index.html

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified. Irwin, 44, was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He is survived by his American-born wife Terri and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.

Irwin became a popular figure on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture and relocation of crocodiles.

Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catchphrase "Crikey!"

But his image suffered a setback in January 2004 when he held his then one-month-old baby Bob while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed his sorry Monday and said that he was fond of Irwin and was very appreciative of all the work he had done in promoting Australia overseas.

In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s Australian Story television program about how he was perceived in his home 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, the ABC reported.

"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'."

Ya know, while I'm terribly sorry it happened, and I mourn for his wife and children, I'm suprised this hasen't happened sooner. Just watching him, he really took his chances.

Oh no! I love him. :( :( His kids are so young, too. Kind of an amazing guy, really. :angel: Ha, that's pretty dramatic, he's probably glad he went out that way. I mean what with his work and all.

How awful for his family...he was so young.

Oh my god, this is so sad! He was my hero when I was a kid! :( :( :(

http://www.mote.org/index.php?src=ge...h&submenu=INFO

What is the sting?


The venom apparatus or "sting" of a stingray is a spine or modified dermal denticle (the scales covering sharks and stingrays) with two ventral grooves filled with venom-producing tissue. The venom apparatus is surrounded by a cell-rich covering or sheath that also may produce lesser amounts of venom. The venom itself is a largely protein-based toxin that causes great pain in mammals and may also alter heart rate and respiration. However, since it is proteinaceous, it can be inactivated by exposure to high temperatures. Because of this, immersion of the wound in hot water or application of a heat compress are recommended as an immediate treatment for unfortunate victims of a stingray injury or "envenomation." Although this may reduce the initial pain of a stingray injury, victims should still obtain medical assistance so that the wound can be properly examined and cleaned to avoid secondary infections or other complications.

As mentioned above, the sting on most pelagic stingrays is situated near the base of the tail. This may discourage predators from biting the animal near its vital organs. In contrast, the sting of most bottom-dwelling stingrays is located further away from the body, making it a more effective and dangerous "striking" weapon. However, it should be pointed out that the sting is purely a defensive weapon only and that the "striking" action is an involuntary response rather than a conscious "attack."

As someone that used to catch snakes and tarantulas when I was a kid and keep them as pets I enjoyed his show although he was a bit manic.I'm sorry to learn of his untimely death.This kind of reminds of Grizzly Man that film where this metrosexual gets mauled to death by the Grizzlies he was trying to protect.You have to respect nature .

OMG!
I loved him! I was so facinated with his shows! OMG this is awful!
He will be missed. :distress: :( :eek:

I have mixed feelings about this, like a lot of folks. Im sorry he died this way, sounds pretty ghastly...but as many have said, he was pretty cavelier and took a lot of risks with dangerous animals...and it DOES remind me of that Grizzly guy from CA who got mauled by a bear....these folks maybe forget just how dangerous these animals can be...so sad :distress:

It is sad ... but he died doing what he loved best, I guess. He totally took his chances with each day! I would have been scared every day if I was his wife!

Oh dear , so sorry to hear this, we all liked watching him here, the kids have practically grown up watching his crazy programme. I do also think he took alot of risks with nature (so in some ways this is not surprising) but this is such a sad (if not odd) way to go.Just wondering if they had a medic on the filming team, up there with them anyway.

God rest his soul, and comfort his family. I cant say that I'm surprised, or that anybody should be surprised by his death...considering his asinine line of work. He was a jolly bloke, though.

Well I was very shocked and saddened to hear of this sad news.

Yes, he took risks but I think most were fairly calculated.... It is very sad that he leaves his family so young.. but at least he died loving what he did... and he will never be forgotten...:distress:

Rest in peace Crocodile Hunter!

Ofcourse he was far too young and it's tragic for his children. Television has lost a charismatic, original presenter. He was loved by millions.

But for the adventurer he clearly was, what a way to go.
What's the betting a hollywood scriptwriter isn't already polishing off the first draft with a call to Russell Crowe in place to play him.

Rest in peace.

RIP Steve...:(