crikey! steve irwin, the crocodile hunter, is dead
CRIKEY! Sad, sad news this morning from Australia. Steve Erwin, everyone’s favorite crocodile hunting, animal planet hosting, deadly venom avoiding, alligator tail snatching, great white shark swimming Australian maniac was killed tragically this morning “by a sting-ray barb that went through his chest” while he was filming an underwater documentary in the waters off the Low Isles at Port Douglas. I am struggling to understand exactly how a stingray barb goes through your chest. I didn’t know they used the stinger like a sword. I didn’t even think they were dangerous. All the articles are a bit vague about how the accident occurred.
According to Wikipedia, stingrays stinger “is a razor-sharp, barbed or serrated cartilaginous spine which grows from the ray’s whip-like tail (like a fingernail). It is coated with a toxic venom.” That sounds serious. BUT, stingrays “do not attack aggressively, or even actively defend themselves” but “it is possible for ray stings to be fatal if they sever major arteries, are in the chest or pelvic region, or are improperly treated.” Sounds like Steve must have literally impaled himself on the spike or he never should have died.
I always knew Steve was going to die tragically from the attack of some deadly creature, but I always imagined it to be with his head in the jaws of a 25 foot croc or from the bite from the most deadly snake in the world, not impaled on the tail of a fish. I am very sad and also very disappointed.
Here is a nice obituary from news.com.au.
Best wishes to his wife Terri, and their kids, Bindi Sue (8) and Robert (Bob) Clarence (3). Rest in peace Steve.
I came to your site late tonight in need of a laugh after a long writing session.
This is so sad.
So long Steve.
Strewth! Sad news indeed. That said, he was a statistic waiting to happen.
I agree that its a little sad how a guy who spends his life trying to avoid getting ripped apart by crocodiles has died in what seems to be a freak occurance with a fish
Very sad indeed, I like his accent and zeal…this also reminds me of the Grizzly Man…
How long before the bootleg video gets around? I’ll never watch it.
I thought I’d share this original tribute I penned for Steve with the rest of you too:
Crocodile Hunter
words and music by Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr. BLT (c)2006
http://www.drblt.net/music/crocodileHunter.mp3
I am really sad I never got to come to your zoo! I was really looking forward to it to the kids at school say I sound just like you because i lived in Australia and moved to America I still want to go to your zoo.
I’ll miss ya mate
sincerily Jason