Sad, sad news today: A stingray killed Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter.
CAIRNS, Australia Sep 4, 2006 (AP)— Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the “Crocodile Hunter,” was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.
Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, shooting a segment for a series called “Ocean’s Deadliest” when he swam too close to one of the animals, which have a poisonous bard on their tails, his friend and colleague John Stainton said.
“He came on top of the stingray and the stingray’s barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart,” said Stainton, who was on board Irwin’s boat at the time.
When I first saw his Croc Hunter show, I thought he was nuts. I thought he was needlessly endangering his life. Then I started watching, and realized no, he knew exactly what he was doing, and that he was never going to be killed by a croc.
I’m not big on caring about celebrities. As my father used to say, they never bought me a drink. But I feel saddened at this loss.
I feel especially sad for his family. Damn.
I’ve been a regular “Crocodile Hunter” watcher and I’m distressed too, Meryl. There’s a difference between Steve Irwin and your ordinary celebrity. Steve actually contributed something to the world–ran what seems to be a very fine zoo, contributed entertaining and educational television programs, and increased knowledge and awareness of wildlife. In a small but real way he actually made the world a better place. I don’t feel any compunction about being sad that he’s gone.
With the usual celebrity type, I don’t feel anything one way or the other.
I disagree strongly with you, Meryl, and I’ve posted on the subject on IFOC.
I’ve seen Jack Hanna operate up close. There’s a big difference between apprearing reckless and being reckless.
If he knew what he was doing, why did he get killed so easily so young?
It really is too bad.
Laurence,
He had a piece of atrocious luck. By this account he was doing something that many others have done before him. Exactly what happened to trigger the stingray’s attack is unknown. It was captured on film (the cameraman was filming when the attack happened) but the film hasn’t been released and may never be. Unless/until it is, any assessment of blame is premature IMHO.
You know, Lair, there are a lot of people whose graves are worth pissing on. Steve Irwin isn’t one of them.
He wasn’t a bigot. He wasn’t a wife-beater. He wasn’t a bad man. All he was was a man who tried to imbue everyone with his love of animals.
Was he reckless? Maybe. Did he love animals? Absolutely. Is his death a loss to the community, and especially his family?
Yes.
Some graves are worth pissing on. Not this one.
I enjoyed watching Steve Irwins TV shows. He was over the top many times, but you can’t deny his enthusiasm, passion and energy regarding animals and conservation. He was a very charismatic person; I will miss him.
The Croc Hunter always brought a smile to my face.