The Crocodile Hunter RIP

[David Brent]

Breaking news here in Australia that Steve Irwin, internationally known as the "Crocodile Hunter" has died today in North Queensland after being stung in the heart by a stingray barb while diving.
Irwin was filming a documentary off Port douglas near Cairns at the time.
He was aged only 44.

Dave.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by David Brent Breaking news here in Australia that Steve Irwin, internationally known as the "Crocodile Hunter" has died today in North Queensland after being stung in the heart by a stingray barb while diving. Irwin was filming a documentary off Port douglas near Cairns at the time. He was aged only 44. Dave.

Aww, it wasn't a croc that got him. I'd have paid to see that.

He tells his camera crew to always be filming. If he needs help, he will ask for it. Even if he is eaten by a shark or croc, the main thing he wants is that it be filmed. If he died, he would be sad if no one got it on tape.

Personal quotes
"If something ever happens to me, people are gonna be like 'we knew a croc would get him!'"

More like "we hoped".

A self-opinionated, self-publicising showman who teased placid (potentially dangerous) creatures into appearing to be more dangerous than they were just so that his show could appear to be more exciting.

Very little sympathy from here.

Steve

[thirdlady]

Originally Posted by David Brent Breaking news here in Australia that Steve Irwin, internationally known as the "Crocodile Hunter" has died today in North Queensland after being stung in the heart by a stingray barb while diving. Irwin was filming a documentary off Port douglas near Cairns at the time. He was aged only 44. Dave.

I heard that and thought that was tragic

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by thirdlady I heard that and thought that was tragic

It's a shame when anyone dies needlessly. But he really was an accident waiting to happen. And all so that he could get on telly.

Steve

[Marky B]

I am very sorry for his demise and for his family,but I'm with Steve on this one. Although I admire his passion for conservation and trying to promote an understanding of wild animals,his dalliance with creatures of an unexpected temperament was asking for trouble.
R.I.P Steve Irwin.
Mark

[Cuffy]

I'm shocked, but not particularly surprised. Although I was never really a fan, I remember watching him in the early days and at first thought he came over as an amusing character who had a flair in front of the camera.

I guess I just started to become very uncomfortable with the concept of seeing a human interact with wildlife in that particular fashion. It really turned me off the whole idea.

I don't know if some of the early press reports in the UK were wrong, but I'd woken this morning to hear my local station report that Steve Irwin had died after being impaled by a swordfish. I hope it was a genuine mistake and not some sick idea of a joke - whatever I doubts I might have had about the man and his method of entertainment, it's still a sad business.

RIP.

[DB7]

As with the others, saddened but not surprised. The reports I've read suggest the ray felt cornered by the cameraman and Irwin and lashed out which seemed to be the entertainment value for many of his nature shows - Irwan manhanding wild animals that just wanted to be alone.

[David Brent]

Originally Posted by DB7 As with the others, saddened but not surprised. The reports I've read suggest the ray felt cornered by the cameraman and Irwin and lashed out which seemed to be the entertainment value for many of his nature shows - Irwan manhanding wild animals that just wanted to be alone.

My thoughts exactly.
Stingrays are normally very placid creatures and will only use their barb as protection if they feel threatened. I have a feeling that he was swimming just above the stingray and maybe handling it when it stuck its barb upwards into his chest.
There have only ever been 17 other recorded fatalities from stingray barbs in the entire world.
I'm really surprised by the enormous world coverage his death has caused, especially in the US where television channels are devoting whole programs to him.
Irwin's 'Australia Zoo' is situated not far from where I live on the Sunshine Coast and there have been hundreds of floral tributes placed infront of the building as many pay their respects.
There is talk of a State funeral being organised for him in Queensland.
A much loved son of Australia.

Dave.

[bloodworm]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook It's a shame when anyone dies needlessly. But he really was an accident waiting to happen. And all so that he could get on telly. Steve

Agree with you here Steve, ""put your hand in the fire you expect to get burned". This time he got too close and paid the ultimate price. I am pleased it was under water though as he had no chance of using his baby as a thrill prop. That action with the croc said an awful lot about the man and his objectives, a stupid stunt rather like the Michael Jackson effort on the hotel balcony.....

C/U The Worm...

[Johnny Rico]

Now it appears that it is all on tape - While TV will not show it there are probably people who would watch it.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by bloodworm Agree with you here Steve, ""put your hand in the fire you expect to get burned". This time he got too close and paid the ultimate price. I am pleased it was under water though as he had no chance of using his baby as a thrill prop. That action with the croc said an awful lot about the man and his objectives, a stupid stunt rather like the Michael Jackson effort on the hotel balcony..... C/U The Worm...

It reminds me of the last episode of Press Gang (1989), which is very popular in Oz so he could well have seen it. In the last episode, Lynda Day (Julia Sawalha) gave the speech:
Okay, it's like this. There's a tribe living down by a river, and in the river there are crocodiles. The tribe has one particular piece of wisdom passed down through the generations. It goes like this: if you happen to meet a crocodile, don't stick your head in its mouth. Every now and then, and who knows the reason, people ignore this advice, which is sad, because they die. But very stupid because they were warned. They had a choice. The moral of this story is this: You can't afford to be stupid. There are crocodiles.

Steve

[Freddy]

Some years ago older children's television was shown between 5 and 6 o'clock. We had Blue Peter, Jack Hargreaves, films from Europe and behind the Iron Curtain and also drama series such as Barriers, Streetwise and Press Gang, programmes which crossed a lot of age barriers. Press Gang was about a group of young adults who ran their own newspaper, it starred Dexter Fletcher and Julia Sawalha. IMO quality ran through that hour and gave a start to a lot of todays actors and writers. Watching the 60 minutes of tv then was a great way to relax after work. Now we have Sharon Osbourne, Cookery, Neighbours, and Richard and Judy.
The last children's programme I enjoyed was one of yours, 'Round The Twist', great fun.

regards
Freddy

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Freddy Some years ago older children's television was shown between 5 and 6 o'clock. We had Blue Peter, Jack Hargreaves, films from Europe and behind the Iron Curtain and also drama series such as Barriers, Streetwise and Press Gang, programmes which crossed a lot of age barriers. Press Gang was about a group of young adults who ran their own newspaper, it starred Dexter Fletcher and Julia Sawalha. IMO quality ran through that hour and gave a start to a lot of todays actors and writers. Watching the 60 minutes of tv then was a great way to relax after work. Now we have Sharon Osbourne, Cookery, Neighbours, and Richard and Judy. The last children's programme I enjoyed was one of yours, 'Round The Twist', great fun. regards Freddy

Press Gang was sheer class, and it is still well worth watching. For a kids TV show it tackled some very tough subjects and handled them very well.

As well as the great young actors (and some good older actors supporting them) it also had the benefit of scripts by Steven Moffat who went on to write Coupling and some of the better episodes of the new run of Doctor Who like The Empty Child (the one with the gas masks) and The Girl in the Fireplace (Madame De Pompadour)

Steve