Post by HoM on Sept 4, 2006 5:56:30 GMT -5
The Crocodile Hunter is dead 
Some of you may not know about Steve, but he's an Australian HERO! The same guy who fed a crocodile with one hand whilst holding his baby son in another! He wrestles crocs! Now that's what real men do!
Taken from: news.aol.co.uk/croc-hunter-steve-irwin-killed/article/20060904022709990009
Steve Irwin, the Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the Crocodile Hunter, has been killed by a stingray barb during a diving expedition, media reports said.
Irwin, 44, was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in north-eastern Queensland state when the accident occurred, Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said Irwin was diving near Low Isles near the resort town of Port Douglas, about 1,260 miles north of Brisbane when the incident happened.
A helicopter carrying paramedics flew to the island, but he died from a stingray barb to the heart, ABC reported.
Irwin is famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!" in his television program, Crocodile Hunter, which was first broadcast in Australia in 1992 and has been broadcast around the world on the Discovery channel.
He rode his image into a feature film, and developed the Australia Zoo as a tourist attraction.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Irwin was a unique character who brought joy to millions of people around the world.
"I am quite shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death," Howard said.
"He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people. He was a one-off character."
Irwin's friend and producer John Stainton said: "The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet.
"He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind."
The public image was dented in 2004 when Irwin triggered an uproar by holding his baby in one arm while feeding large crocodiles inside a zoo pen. Irwin claimed at the time there was no danger to his son, and authorities declined to charge Irwin with violating safety regulations.
Later that year, he was accused of getting too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales in Antarctica while making a documentary. Irwin denied any wrongdoing, and an Australian Environment Department investigation recommended no action be taken against him.
He is survived by his American wife Terri, from Oregon, who he married in 1992, their daughter Bindi Sue, eight, and son Bob, who will turn three in December.
Some of you may not know about Steve, but he's an Australian HERO! The same guy who fed a crocodile with one hand whilst holding his baby son in another! He wrestles crocs! Now that's what real men do!
Taken from: news.aol.co.uk/croc-hunter-steve-irwin-killed/article/20060904022709990009
Steve Irwin, the Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the Crocodile Hunter, has been killed by a stingray barb during a diving expedition, media reports said.
Irwin, 44, was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in north-eastern Queensland state when the accident occurred, Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said Irwin was diving near Low Isles near the resort town of Port Douglas, about 1,260 miles north of Brisbane when the incident happened.
A helicopter carrying paramedics flew to the island, but he died from a stingray barb to the heart, ABC reported.
Irwin is famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!" in his television program, Crocodile Hunter, which was first broadcast in Australia in 1992 and has been broadcast around the world on the Discovery channel.
He rode his image into a feature film, and developed the Australia Zoo as a tourist attraction.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Irwin was a unique character who brought joy to millions of people around the world.
"I am quite shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death," Howard said.
"He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people. He was a one-off character."
Irwin's friend and producer John Stainton said: "The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet.
"He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind."
The public image was dented in 2004 when Irwin triggered an uproar by holding his baby in one arm while feeding large crocodiles inside a zoo pen. Irwin claimed at the time there was no danger to his son, and authorities declined to charge Irwin with violating safety regulations.
Later that year, he was accused of getting too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales in Antarctica while making a documentary. Irwin denied any wrongdoing, and an Australian Environment Department investigation recommended no action be taken against him.
He is survived by his American wife Terri, from Oregon, who he married in 1992, their daughter Bindi Sue, eight, and son Bob, who will turn three in December.
