# "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin killed by stingray - **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 4, 2006, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370 "2006-09-04T04:43:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/121 "2006-09-05T07:16:35Z")
The jokes and wise-cracks have been flying thick and fast already today. Even those who seemed most distressed by Irwin’s death managed a (stifled) cackle in betwixt the solemnity. Hey, ya gotta laugh. What a way to go. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Viridiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Viridiana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Viridiana)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/122 "2006-09-05T07:40:04Z")
_sigh_ It was strange for me…I saw the news right when it went up on Yahoo (a couple minutes after posting), so for me it was still Sunday and like an eerie, depressing look into the future. I feel a bit appalled at the implications from some people that he deserved to die for doing his job - being a television personality (people often forget that hamming things up becomes crucial in certain niches of this line of work). But not too much. Mostly I’m just sad. He seemed like a good, friendly person who really cared about the future of the planet, and I’m sorry for his family and friends, too. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/123 "2006-09-05T07:56:43Z")
Words from my youngest son: > [@](#): > > This was written by Tim: > > I have just recently turned 18, and although I am not yet a “MAN”, I believe that I have left my childhood behind me. A significant amount of this childhood was spent with my ass on the couch, and my eyes glued to the idiot box. > > Saturday Disney was never missed, and we could never forget Agro and Anne-Maree, yet, the best of memories were those of being scared shitless by a snake striking at the camera, or the manic-mullet-man poking a lizard with a stick. > > The Crocodile Hunter was more than a T.V personality, or a khaki wearing madman. He was an educator, a conservationist, an Australian, and most of all a bloody good bloke. > > He gave me the strength and courage to do many things, from poking other people’s dogs (which I have since learned is not recommended), to poking a stick down a wasps nest. > > Steve Irwin has lead an amazing life (and he has the scars to prove it). He always had an enthusiasm and drive that nobody else could quite match, or keep up to, and a genuine lust for life. It is a tragedy that he was taken from us so young, but a greater tragedy would have been for him to have died in his sleep. > > Steve, you lived a life of adventure, a life of twists, turns, bites and fights. You lit up our imaginations, and gave us a reason to explore this great land (even if we were confined to the backyard). You died in the most deservingly, ironically, satirically suited way possible, and I’m sure that before that sting-ray thrust his barb deep into your chest, you were having the time of your life. > > CRIKEY! ---
**Author:** ![2lazy2pee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/4bbf92/32.png) [@2lazy2pee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2lazy2pee)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/124 "2006-09-05T08:39:28Z")
I’ve been watching Animal Planet and tearing up at some of the interviews with Steve. Whether watching him cry while on the beach with the dying whales or talking about is wishes for his kids to follow him in his conservation efforts, you get a good look into what kind of a man we’ve lost. He said he wanted to be remembered as “passionate.” You could see his passion when talking about his late mother, and how he felt like he needed to be strong, or he might lose his father, too. He was close to his family. I am sure they have the strength to support each other through this trying time. And his employees at Australia Zoo were more than just employees, especially his good friend, Wes Mannion. I know Steve’s family is not alone at this time and are getting tons of love and support. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/125 "2006-09-05T12:27:11Z")
Damn sad. But I imagine his only regrets were for those he left behind. And given the memories so many other dads end up leaving their children this is probably as close to a perfect premature death as one could hope for. Still. Sad. ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/126 "2006-09-05T14:14:09Z")
Maybe, but he brought the wild world into our living rooms, and made millions of people aware that there’s a planet, a lovely, rich, beautiful world out there with all kinds of fascinating creatures that otherwise never would have entered peoples’ consciousness. IMO anything that sheds light on topics of conservationism and appreciation for the creepy-crawly beasties of the world is only a good thing. There are almost no celebrities to whom I’d pay any mind whatsoever… but Steve was something else entirely. RIP Steve, give Sui a hug from me ☹ ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/127 "2006-09-05T14:19:26Z")
Sorry, that was in reply to someone who said they didn’t see conservationism or good work, just invasion of environment and terrified animals. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/128 "2006-09-05T14:30:40Z")
I thought he was great. Nature documentaries generally attract the same segment of population and I can’t help but feel he got the attention of many, many more. He’ll be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/129 "2006-09-05T15:32:49Z")
I thought he was a talented person, amazing conservationist, and brilliant performer. Shows on wildlife can be astoundingly dry and boring despite the producers best attempts. Steve’s show was one of the few things on TV I’ve ever actually called people in to the room to see; he was that intense. I heard about his death on the radio this morning; I listened more to find out the punchline, then checked my watch to see if I missed it being April 1st somehow. He just seemed like one of those invincible, omnipresent characters, and now he’s gone. ☹ I just realized he’s one of the half-dozen or so famous people in the world that I would really actually like to meet in person, and while I probably never would have, now I really never will. RIP Steve. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/130 "2006-09-05T16:37:52Z")
[QUOTE=JillGat] According to everything I read, he was following and swimming above the ray, which people often do. It was a freak accident, but he certainly knew it was there. [/QUOTE] Indeed. From [this article in The Australian](http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20355112-601,00.html). . . > [@](#): > > One of Irwin’s contemporaries, internationally known cameraman and spearfisherman Ben Cropp, was in his own boat off Port Douglas when Irwin was killed. > > “I have just spoken to a cameraman friend who was there and has seen the footage,” Mr Cropp told The Australian last night. > > "He was up in the shallow water, probably 1.5m to 2m deep, following a bull ray which was about a metre across the body - probably weighing about 100kg, and it had quite a large spine. > > “The cameraman was filming in the water.” > > Mr Cropp said the stingray was spooked and went into defensive mood. > > "It probably felt threatened because Steve was alongside and there was the cameraman ahead, and it felt there was danger and it baulked. > > "It stopped and went into a defensive mode and swung its tail with the spike. > > "Steve unfortunately was in a bad position and copped it. RIP Steve. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2006, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/131 "2006-09-05T16:58:38Z")
[QUOTE=JillGat] According to everything I read, he was following and swimming above the ray, which people often do. It was a freak accident, but he certainly knew it was there. [/QUOTE] According to an eyewitness statement given to CNN, it was buried in the sand. You can watch a clip of the interveiw [here](http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/05/irwin.death/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2006, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/132 "2006-09-06T01:27:50Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] Indeed. [/QUOTE] There is TONS of conflicting information out about this right now, so I don’t think we can definitively say that this is what happened. I heard John Stainton say that Steve pulled the barb out of his chest, then later, on a different interview, heard him practically chide the reporter, saying how ridiculous a notion that was, then later heard him say again that he did it. The fact is that there were a small number of people on the beach in Australia, something big happened, and news of it has spread across the world in 2 days. There’s bound to be a lot of confusion at first. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2006, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/133 "2006-09-07T11:43:05Z")
[Awwwww…](http://cagle.msnbc.com/news/SteveIrwin/main.asp) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2006, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/134 "2006-09-07T12:36:25Z")
_sniffle_ looking at those made me cry ☹ ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2006, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/135 "2006-09-07T12:41:47Z")
[QUOTE=Rilchiam] [Awwwww…](http://cagle.msnbc.com/news/SteveIrwin/main.asp) [/QUOTE] Okay, the one where Karr is sitting in jail having confessed to killing the Croc Hunter cracked me up. All the other ones… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2006, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/136 "2006-09-07T13:12:55Z")
I am such a geek… I’m scrolling through those 'toons with tears streaming down my face. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2006, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/137 "2006-09-07T14:27:34Z")
You’re not the only one, **Mixie**. ---
**Author:** ![2lazy2pee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/4bbf92/32.png) [@2lazy2pee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2lazy2pee)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2006, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/138 "2006-09-07T23:58:35Z")
Damn. I haven’t cried like this since George Harrison died. Not for a famous person, anyway. He still had so much life ahead of him. He should have lived to be 100 years old and and an elder statesman for conservation. He should have been to snakes and crocs what Jane Goodall is to chimpanzees. That was a life, mate! ---
**Author:** ![pudytat72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@pudytat72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pudytat72)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2006, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/139 "2006-09-08T03:44:35Z")
If his body had been 6 inches away from where it was (in any direction-further forward, back, or to either side), he probably would have survived. That’s just bad luck. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2006, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370/140 "2006-09-08T03:48:58Z")
[QUOTE=2lazy2pee] He should have been to snakes and crocs what Jane Goodall is to chimpanzees. [/QUOTE] Should have been? He was. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-killed-by-stingray/371370.md?page=8)