Wreckers

Just heard Steve Irwin has died in a diving accident in Far North Queensland. Got killed by a stingray

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st ... 02,00.html

not good - prolly false

Doubt its false - the ABC radio is doing a bit of a quick indepth on it and discussing aspects of Steve's life.

According to the news report, he died off the Low Isles off Port Douglas. I've spent quite a bit of time snorkelling around there - fascinating place.

Is on front page of CNN.com as well. Appears he got stung in the chest by a ray of some sort.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/0 ... index.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060904/ap_ ... obit_irwin

sad to see this kind of thing happen

Theres only one thing to say:

Crikey =(

God bless him, he was fkn great, the world is a duller place without him.

MeloxXx

Totally agree Melo..

World has lost a great conservationist and larger than life person.

/mourn

Gim and co

I thought he was a moron from day 1. You play with fire long enough and you'll eventually get burned. Not to mention he gave australians a reputation for being some sort of hick, croc wrestling imbeciles.

Do feel sorry for his family though.

He made a dangerous living, but he knew the risks. He was a great man, I think and I'm shocked

The poor bugger, a horrid way to go.
Very ironic that he died while making a doco trying to debunk a lot of the horror that people view Stingrays with.

Apparently there have been a couple of similar deaths in the past regarding stingrays. I know when I was a kid and learning about the beach and the ocean, Dad always warned us to give them a fairly wide berth, he always warned us about wading through the surf at dusk or at night time but we did it anyway. I have stood on a couple of rays in my time but been lucky. People often say someone was 'stung' by a stingray, they aren't, its a piercing wound from the barb.

What happened is Steve was snorkelling over the top of the stingray and the ray flicked its tail upwards. The barb cut through his chest and pierced his heart. As you probably know, stingrays have a very sharp barb on the end of their tail which they use for defence purposes.

I come from a fishing community and a lot of the deckies on the trawlers have received very deep cuts particularly on their hands and legs when untangling stingrays from the nets. It used to be a particularly barbaric practice years back if you caught a stingray, to cut its barb off and release it.

I've snorkelled that reef off the Low Isles a few times and I wouldn't have thought the stingrays up there were particularly aggressive and were used to people, its a very popular spot.

Even though its far too early for him to die, its an appropriate way. His death was probably instantaneous.

He was a bit of a wanker .. but did a great job for conservation, for Australia and enthusing kids about our homeland and wildlife.

It's a real bugga when an entertaining innings is cut short.

Big Kev now Steve, when will it end.

Oh god no, Burgo is immortal.

What a shock. I feel for his wife and children.

I saw the tv show a few times, I found him enthusiatic about animals, conservation and Australia. He also had a cute accent.

came to see if what I read was real. At least he went out with his boots / Flippers on.

wether some took his passion for conservation and life as overbearing and forthwith miss representing ausies, I for one thought he was a very unique individual and he had a true passion for wildlife.

Australia has lost a good man. I salute the fallen and pray for the family's ease in this time of mourning.

THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING

Endless visions fill my head - this man - as large as life
And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife
Because the way I see Steve Irwin - just put everything aside
It comes back to his family - it comes back to his pride

His animals inclusive - Crikey - light the place with love!
Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above
The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch
Living out his dream and in that classic 'Stevo' crouch

Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek
It's one thing to be honoured as a champion unique
It's one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved
It's another to be taken in and genuinely loved

But that was where he had it right - I guess he always knew
From his fathers' modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo
We cringed at times and shook our heads - but true to natures call
There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all

Yes the more I care to think of it - the more he had it right
If you're going to make a difference - make it big and make it bright!
Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes - he went head first!
But he made the world feel happy with his energetic burst

A world so large and loyal that it's hard to comprehend
I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end
To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration
May the spotlight shine forever on his dream for conservation

...My daughter broke the news to me - my six year old in tears
It was like she'd just turned old enough to show her honest fears
I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying
His little girl explained it best...she said "The crocodiles are crying"

Their best mate's up in heaven now - the crocs up there are smiling!
And as sure as flowers, poems and cards and memories are piling
As sure as we'll continue with the trademarks of his spiel
Of all the tributes worthy - he was rough...but he was real

As sure as 'Crikey!' fills the sky
I think we'll miss ya Steve...goodbye

RUPERT McCALL 2006

That was great Kirra, thanks for posting.

Gim and co..

Well put kirra.