Steve Irwin

[kostgard]

Yeah - I think I've heard that if a stingray gets you in the leg or foot they can treat you, but if get hit in the chest or abdomen, it is really bad news.

I'm pretty sure he wasn't wearing a special suit - I'm sure he just jumped into the water in his khakis like he always did, started splashing around and pissing the animal off - again, like he always did - and just this time he wasn't able to duck out of the way when the ray swung its tail at him.

[december]

Oh man that video is so sad, for all the stuff he did to them he really seriously did love these creatures and just wanted everyone else to.


Although there is an do all good crocs go to heaven? crack that I have running through my head.

[Deleted]

That's why I liked him, he really CARED about his animals.

Although the "I loved her like I love my wife" about the croc was a bit much.....

[Yossarian]

So I'm thinking that the stingray was camera shy:

There are 480 known species of stingray and "a stingray lashes its tail only as a defensive measure when it is caught, stepped on, or otherwise disturbed", says Museum Victoria.

According to a 1995 publication, Dangerous Marine Creatures - Field Guide for Medical Treatment, stingrays are the largest of the venomous fish.

The tail of the stingray carries at least one barb or spine that may be up to 37 centimetres long.

"Penetration of a body cavity by a stingray barb may cause major morbidity and even death, particularly with cardiac injury, and requires early surgical referral and management," it states.

Penetrating cardiac injuries have generally been fatal, the publication said.

[jdkwfan4ever]

I know it has been stated that his family has been notified but that could just mean his parents, siblings, etc. His wife might still not know.

[december]

Yeah most likely he did some dickhead thing like he has done a million times before and this time it didn't end as well as it always has for him. Still sad though.

Good article from 2002

I know it has been stated that his family has been notified but that could just mean his parents, siblings, etc. His wife might still not know.

I think she could by now, it happened at 11am here (I am posting now at just past 4pm) and she was filming a doco therefore she would have had a satelitte phone and other communication with her I would say.

[Deleted]

His parents are both dead and he doesn't have any siblings, I don't think.

Either that or she's trying to make sure her man doesn't stray.

Correction: the article says he has an older sister. But I believe his dad died since because I remember reading that when their baby Bob was born.

[Deleted]

kostgard said:

Yeah - I think I've heard that if a stingray gets you in the leg or foot they can treat you, but if get hit in the chest or abdomen, it is really bad news.

I'm pretty sure he wasn't wearing a special suit - I'm sure he just jumped into the water in his khakis like he always did, started splashing around and pissing the animal off - again, like he always did - and just this time he wasn't able to duck out of the way when the ray swung its tail at him.

Yeah, he apparently had an instant heart seizure, so he didn't have a chance. Off the coast of Port Douglas too -- not exactly the most remote location on earth, but it's not easily accessible for medics either.

ane said:

There have been countless stories about him being dead over the years, so I want to wait until there's some sort of official statement before I believe it.

It's all over the news here (I'm less than an hour south of Beerwah, Queensland), so I'm pretty sure it's true. Australians are pretty good at lots of things, but making up news isn't one of them.


I just feel so bad for his kids. Not only have they lost their Dad at such a young age, but to have the whole country talking about it -- it must be tough. There's also been a bit of talk on the radio about how to discuss this with young children, as they tended to make up his 'fanbase' (or whatever you want to call it). It just sucks all around, really.

ETA:

yossarian said:

So I'm thinking that the stingray was camera shy:
. . .
Penetrating cardiac injuries have generally been fatal, the publication said.

And a damn good shot too. Apparently, there were only two recorded deaths from stingrays in Australia.

[glitterbug]

The hubby and I were both really shocked at the news. I can't imagine how his wife and kids are feeling right now. I suppose it's the way he'd want to go, though. It's just a real shame, as he made the less cute-and-cuddly wildlife really appealing.

[Coffeecakes]

Holy shit. When I saw the brief mention on JJB, I thought it was some kind of joke and immediately went to Yahoo and Cnn. How sad, and to think I used to always imitate him with the "crikey!" He was a loud albeit harmless guy. My heart goes out to his family and especially his children since they are so young.