World-famous Australian "crocodile hunter" and television
environmentalist Steve Irwin has been killed by a stingray blow to
the heart while filming a new documentary.
The larger-than-life Irwin, 44, known for his fearlessly
enthusiastic handling of even the deadliest of wildlife, was killed
when a stingray barb punctured his chest during underwater filming
on the Great Barrier Reef.
"It's likely that he possibly died instantly when the barb hit him,
and I don't think that he ... felt any pain," a tearful Stainton
told reporters in the city of Cairns Monday.
Police and officials at Irwin's zoo confirmed his death in the
freak incident that took place at about 11:00 am (0100 GMT) off the
coast of Port Douglas in the northeastern Australian state of
Queensland.
Irwin was evacuated from his boat by helicopter and ambulance
service officials said he had suffered a puncture wound to the left
side of his chest and was immediately pronounced dead.
Stingrays have several sharp and venomous barbs on their tails that
they use to defend themselves when they feel threatened, but
Stainton insisted that Irwin had not provoked the creature while
filming.
"I have never met a more professional person in my whole life nor a
more passionate person in my whole life on wildlife issues,"
Stainton said of the iconic Irwin, who was making a show about
deadly sea dwellers.
Australian wildlife filmmaker David Ireland said that the
stingray's tail was "like a bayonet on a rifle".
"If it hits any vital organs it's as deadly as a bayonet," he
said.
Police said Irwin's US-born wife Terri had been informed of his
death while hiking in Tasmania. The couple had two children aged
eight and three.
The garrulous animal-lover's rallying cry of "crikey" when faced
with a crocodile, snake or ferocious-looking spider made him an
Australian icon across the world.
His "Crocodile Hunter" show, in which the tousle-haired adventurer
appeared in his trademark khaki shorts and shirt, was first
broadcast in 1992 and has been shown around the world on the
Discovery cable network ever since.
His outspoken persona became so popular that he won a cameo role in
a Hollywood movie, "Dr Dolittle 2," starring US comic actor Eddie
Murphy.
Australians mourned the loss of one of their best known countrymen,
with Prime Minister John Howard leading the public outpouring of
grief over the death of a man whom he knew well.
"I really do feel Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful
son," Howard said. "He took risks, he enjoyed life.
"He brought immense joy to millions of people, particularly to
children, and it's just such a terrible loss. He was one of those
great quintessential Australian faces that people recognised
everywhere," added the grim-looking prime minister after parliament
was told of his death.
Ordinary Australians called into their local radio and television
stations expressing their shock and sadness at Irwin's passing,
while others flocked to the television star's Australia Zoo in
Beerwah, on the Sunshine coast of Queensland state, to lay flowers
in his memory.
"We just thought he was a good guy for what he did for Australia.
He put us on the map, I reckon," said Rod Cameron at the zoo.
Another mourner was more sanguine. "He died doing what he loved,
didn't he?" said tourist Glenn Batson.
The son of reptile park owners, the young Irwin became a crocodile
trapper, ridding residential areas of their reptilian
threats.
His fearless approach to the animal kingdom however provoked
international outrage when he involved his infant son in one of his
death-defying antics.
In early 2004, he fed a four-metre (13-foot) crocodile with one
hand while clutching his baby son Bob in the other during a show at
his Australia Zoo reptile park.
But Irwin was unrepentant when confronted about the incident in an
interview. "I will continue to educate my children and the children
of the world so they don't go into the water with crocs," he
said.
Irwin's voice remained on the answering machine of his zoo on
Monday, reminding callers with a whoop: "Remember, they rule,"
referring to his dangerous documentary subjects.
Such a sad thing...he was so famous but
by a freak accident...he juz went to sell duck eggs... 
News extracted from
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/AfpNews/200609042036191157373379.8/afp
