Breaking News: "Croc Hunter" Steve Irwin dead

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060904/people_nm/australia_irwin_dc

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Steve Irwin, the quirky Australian naturalist who won worldwide acclaim, has died in a marine accident off Australia's northeast coast, local media reported on Monday.

Queensland state government sources quoted by Australian Associated Press (AAP) said Irwin, 44, whose television show "The Crocodile Hunter" won international acclaim and popularized 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.

Sky Television also reported that Irwin had been stung by a sting ray.

Australian emergency officials could not immediately confirm the reports.

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's sad. I wasn't ever a huge fan of that show but you could tell that Irwin really loved life and loved what he was doing. We need more people with that child like enthusiasm that he had everyday that he lived.

flipping sucks, newborn child, a wife (who i hear is hiking in another country and may not yet know).
truly a tragedy.
this guy loved what he did and definately broke the mold.
i'm drining one in his honor tonight.

Wow- what a shock!
Sad to hear...

sad, really very sad.
I am absolutely stunned at this sad news.
:'(

Crikey!
:'(

I just heard that as well I actually loved his show because he actually taught you something about what he was doing

His wife is an American from Oregon

Nothing to add to what has already been said...
Very sad news about someone that seamed to really enjoy life in general!
So many bad people in the living throughout the world...its a shame when one of the good guys goes before their time.
RIP Mr. Irwin

Sad, real sad. But I always said he was dumb. Put a snake in front of your face and of course it's going to bite you!

I'm just completely baffled on how this has happened. The article I posted has been updated, stating that there have only been records of two other stingray-caused deaths. Apparently, the barb went into his chest and pierced his heart, killing him almost immediately.

Stingrays do not even actively defend themselves, the barb only whips up like a tail when they try to flee. They are very shy and non-aggressive creatures. I've seen them up close when snorkeling and petted them at Stingray Petting Zoos. THe only thing I can guess is that he came up behind one and grabbed onto its 'wings', allowing the reactive tail flick to center up into his torso.

Weird... and really recklessly invasive of him to do something like this with a wild animal. I feel for him nonetheless...