General Chat

Just heard that Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter has been killed in a freak accident in Australia. He was swimming and the barb of a stingray went through his chest

So sad............;-(((

Yep it is. We were at Australia Zoo back in June and its an amazing place. A tribute to him

First thing I heard when I woke this morning - terrible shame :O(

So very sad...Still cannot believe it.. Janet xx

I always thought Steve took a lot of chances with the crocodiles, snakes and other animals but sorry he has died, he has young children too. Betty

shocked! tina x

I am just shell shocked. My kids loved Steve Irwin. The kids think of Steve as an Australian Icon and I have to say that I agree with them. He has done so much for Australia and widlife in general. I can't say I knew him but he just comes across as a warm & friendly person and also a real family man. It is a great loss to Australia My heart goes out to his family and his babies. Mel

As an Aussie, all I can say is Crikey, that's Bloody Bizarre! Special thoughts to his wife Terri, daughter Bindi and son Bob. I suppose we would have all thought a croc would get him - go figure. Lew Lew from Mudgee NSW

Just heard the news myself.....so tragic......often had visions of something happening with those crocs, but this is unbelievable! Still such a young man too.........I believe he followed in his father's footsteps and took over where he left off? How sad for his family....those young babies and his lovely wife. We have watched him for years, since he first appeared on TV over here..........his programmes were always facinating. My condolences to his family. Jen

such sad news, whats even worse is his poor wife dosnt know yet. jean

Hi Mel Have just heard a news flash on the early morning radio. Thought someone on here would know. How very very sad. How are you? Rodders uk

This is so sad. My sympathy to his family. Germaine x Queensland state government sources quoted by Australian Associated Press (AAP) said Irwin, 44, whose television show 'The Crocodile Hunter' won international acclaim and popularised the phrase 'Crikey', was believed to have been killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest. He was filming an underwater documentary off Port Douglas when the accident occurred, the report said. Paramedics were called but were unable to save him. Stingrays do not normally attack aggressively, or even actively defend themselves and stingray deaths are rare. When threatened their primary reaction is to swim away. However, when they are attacked by predators or stepped on, the barbed stinger in their tail is mechanically whipped up, usually into the offending foot; it is also possible, although less likely, to be stung 'accidentally' by brushing against the stinger. Irwin won a global following for his daredevil antics but also triggered outrage in 2004 by holding his then one-month-old baby while feeding a snapping crocodile at his Australian zoo.

That is awful, after doing battle with all those crocs that he should die like this. :-((

So sad!! thought it was a joke this am when i heard. Poor Terri wasnt even with him,she was trekking in the mountains but has been told this horrid news. My thoughts are with her and their two children bob and bindy...........my children will be upset as they loved watching his documentaries. R.I.P steve.

Latest reports say that he is only the third person to die this way in Australia. Jen

Just heard this and jumped out of bed to check the internet. My family loved him in his TV programmes, I've got tears in my eyes. He had such a lovely, friendly nature and a great sense of humour. How come his wife Terri does not know yet? The Australia Zoo website is running very slow and the 'contact us' page does not work - they've taken that down. He spent the whole night sleeping on the floor next to his dying dog and it was so moving in the programme when the dog died. I'm so glad a crocodile has not eaten him and his family have something to say goodbye to. It was too soon..... and it was Father's Day this weekend in Australia. Claire

OMG - talk about shocked. My oldest is a mad croc fan and is gutted. Like most I thought a croc or snake would get him but not this - what a terrible waste of a human life. He has done so much for conservation - my sympathy goes to Terri his wife and the two children and to all our OZ cousins. Lorraine

Sad news, my thoughts are with his wife, Terri and their children.

What a tragic way to end such a daring life.....thoughts are with his family. :)x