Steve Irwin is dead
A powerful untamed beast of the water -- a sting ray -- finally nailed Australian wild-kingdom daredevil Steve Irwin, 44, and the poor guy's dead. An Australian news service is reporting that Irwin "was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest" during an underwater shoot in the water off Cairns, Australia.
"Irwin was swimming off the Low Isles at Port Douglas filming an underwater documentary when the tragedy occured," the news service report reads. "The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) was called about 11am [Australian time] and an emergency services helicopter was flown to the crew's boat on Batt Reef, off the coast near Cairns, with a doctor and emergency services paramedic on board.
"Irwin had a puncture wound to the left side of his chest and was pronounced dead at the scene."
It's sad as hell to report this, but we all know Irwin's been tempting fate by hunting, stalking and sometimes taunting dangerous wild animals for years. If there was ever a guy whose epitaph deserved to read, "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword," it's Irwin. He was mainly a TV guy, but he made a reasonably successful feature with his wife, Terri, called The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, which grossed just under $30 million domestic.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 3, 2006 at 9:51 PM
comment #1
JD
says ...
This is really sad. As far as celebrity weirdos go, he was one of the few with a genuine sense of vitality. He could be annoying as hell, but his child-like joie de vivre was pretty great (particularly when he appeared on talk shows). Does this mean that Werner Herzog has to make a documentary about him now?
Posted by JD
at September 3, 2006 10:16 PM
comment #2
Weinberg
says ...
Very sad news. Wasn't a big fan of his stuff, but he seemed to be a pretty likeable guy.
Kinda ironic that he spent so many years next to some really dangerous animals, and yet he was killed by a creature that's considerably more likely to swim away than attack.
Posted by Weinberg
at September 3, 2006 10:22 PM
comment #3
Nick29
says ...
Jeff, I have to give you props,,you had cnn scooped on this in terms of the details. I'll hold a moment of silence for Mr. Irwin. We need more batshit insane people like him on this Earth. The world will not be as exciting without him, even though his movie wasn't so good.
Posted by Nick29
at September 3, 2006 10:49 PM
comment #4
Dubbs
says ...
This is sad. Steve Irwin loved the most unlovable of creatures, and did so with such a good nature. I had more or less forgot about him in recent years, but this brings back a real feeling of fondness for him. In a way, he was the original Jackass, and paved the way for Knoxville and his crew. Rest in peace Mr. Irwin (or fighting large animals, if that's what you prefer).
Posted by Dubbs
at September 3, 2006 10:50 PM
comment #5
NYCBusybody
says ...
I admire anyone with the balls to do something I never could. Even if I thought it was sometimes crazy.
He really loved animals, and was a huge conservation proponent. I saw him on TV all the time. Really sad news. Rest in peace, mate.
Posted by NYCBusybody
at September 3, 2006 10:50 PM
comment #6
Dubbs
says ...
Nick29, I never thought "we need more batshit insane people like him on this Earth" would one day become my favorite eulogizing summary for Steve Irwin, but there it is. I dare any major newspaper to top that.
Posted by Dubbs
at September 3, 2006 10:53 PM
comment #7
Dixon Steele
says ...
Unbelievable. I was just watching a doc about the Amazon. The locals despise rays knowing how deadly they are, and will chop off their stinger and feed them to the Piranha (who they have no problem with).
Always enjoyed Steve's love of what he did. My heart goes out to his wife and comrade, Terri (?).
RIP, Mate.
Posted by Dixon Steele
at September 3, 2006 11:57 PM
comment #8
hiviper
says ...
He was a consummate showman. Sure, it got him in trouble a couple of times (like when he dangled his baby son while feeding an enormous croc), but you could tell he was basically a good guy and his enthusiasm was infectious.
BTW - I didn't know stingrays could impale you like this. I remember feeding them in "Stingray City" at Grand Cayman around 15 yrs ago and they were like puppy dogs - of course, they're used to tourists there.
RIP Steve
Posted by hiviper
at September 4, 2006 12:40 AM
comment #9
Sid Yobbo
says ...
>>his enthusiasm was infectious.
It was indeed. Such shocking news. RIP, Steve.
Posted by Sid Yobbo
at September 4, 2006 2:43 AM
comment #10
MathewM
says ...
Re: "Does this mean that Werner Herzog has to make a documentary about him now?"
I was just thinking about this. While Timothy Treadwell never achieved the same success that Irwin did, there was a definite resemblance between the two. It would be interesting to hear Herzog's take on this.... While we admire and are entertained by those who go against nature on the behalf of good will from men, there is also a certain idiocy and reminder of our own mortality.
Posted by MathewM
at September 4, 2006 7:54 AM
comment #11
Jay T.
says ...
I will never forget the commercial he did for ESPN's Sports Center, in which he tackles the Florida Gator's mascot. Good stuff.
Posted by Jay T.
at September 4, 2006 9:21 AM
comment #12
D.Z.
says ...
It always happens in threes...*sigh*
Posted by D.Z.
at September 4, 2006 10:53 AM
comment #13
B8ovin
says ...
This was inevitable, but sad, particularly since he had children. However, it should be noted that in order to be stabbed in the chest by a singray, you gotta be really messing with it. Personally, I never found his brand of goofy nature interaction appealing, I guess I'm more of a reserved scientific approach guy, myself. Any odds on who's next? That insect guy? The snake guy? Corwin?
Posted by B8ovin
at September 4, 2006 11:14 AM
comment #14
sweet_billy
says ...
"A powerful untamed beast of the water -- a sting ray -- finally nailed Australian wild-kingdom daredevil Steve Irwin, 44, and the poor guy's dead."
"finally nailed"? i like your column, but that's got to be the most asshol-ish comment i've ever seen from you.
what a dick. show some humilty and respect, jeff.
Posted by sweet_billy
at September 4, 2006 2:27 PM
comment #15
Monument
says ...
You know what I really liked about him was that he seemed to truly love what he did, it never felt like an act. Sad news.
Posted by Monument
at September 4, 2006 2:45 PM
comment #16
dixiedugan
says ...
I'm really saddened by this news. Goofy though he may have been, his love for the creatures of the earth and the environment they live in really comes thru in his shows, oft watched in this house. I always thought of his Crocodile Hunter programs was to my child as Mutual Of Omaha's Wild Kingdom was to me.
For a birthday party, I took my daughter and several of her friends to see his movie. A big hit with seven year olds, and to myself and my friend who was the designated party helper. Silly, but very fun.
RIP to Steve - Good on you for all your work.
Posted by dixiedugan
at September 4, 2006 3:07 PM
comment #17
sutter kane
says ...
What I'll always remember about Steve Irwin was when he was doing a show about the 10 most poisonous snakes in the world, and to find the second most deadly, he went to- and I swear I'm not making this up- his garage, where I believe a brown recluse had been living for some time.
I'm with everybody else here- the guy could be annoying, but dear god you have to repect anyone with the balls to leap out of a canoe onto a crocodile in the water. It's nice to hear that so many people feel the same way, and he definetely did a lot for conservation efforts around the world.
We do need more batshit insane people like him. My thoughts are defintelely with his family.
Posted by sutter kane
at September 4, 2006 6:42 PM
comment #18
Josh Massey
says ...
Comparisons to Timothy Treadwell (Grizzly Man) are not apt at all. Treadwell has truly insane, and felt he was an expert in an area where he clearly was not. Irwin was an expert, however, with the schooling and experience to back himself up.
It's amazing he died doing something I've done myself, when I almost faint at the idea of getting in the water with a crocodile.
Posted by Josh Massey
at September 5, 2006 5:20 AM
comment #19
iamanerd
says ...
I was very sad when I heard the news. I love my job and all, I really do, but I can only dream of having the sort of passion and balls for my work like the Croc Hunter did.
By the way Jeff, it's not really fair to say he hunted animals since he wouldn't kill them. In a world where conservation is pretty much laughed at, at least this guy put all his fame and money where his mouth was.
Posted by iamanerd
at September 5, 2006 5:33 AM