OMEN
09-04-2006, 09:36 AM
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Steve Irwin, one of the world's most famous naturalists, has died in a freak
accident.
Mr Irwin, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, has died while filming a documentary off the coast of north Queensland, when a stingray barb went through his chest.
The 44-year-old was at Batt's Reef north of Port Douglas when the accident occurred. Mr Irwin's body is being flown to Cairns.
Brisbane Courier-Post reporter Cameron Hatchford told Newstalk ZB the stingray's barb hit him in the chest, and he died from a cardiac arrest shortly afterwards.
Mr Hatchford said Far North police were frantically trying to contact Irwin's wife Terri, to tell her the news before the media did. She is understood to be tramping in a remote area of Tasmania and it may be some time before she can be informed.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the Crocodile Hunter.
John Wyegal works at Australia Zoo, which Steve Irwin and his wife Terri operate north of Brisbane. He has been a long-time friend of the naturalist since he was a teenager.
"One of the things that was endearing about Steve," he told the Australian Radio Network, "was that he walked close to the line and it sounds like in this case he may have stepped over it".
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has paid tribute to Irwin for his work promoting the country. Mr Downer used a photograph of his family at Australia Zoo for his official Christmas card last year.
Queensland State Premier Peter Beattie said Mr Irwin's death was shocking news, and also paid tribute to the naturalist, who was voted Queenslander of the Year on a number of occasions for his work promoting the state, and encouraging tourism. He once described Irwin as "a fantastic advocate" for Queensland.
Australia Zoo says it will not be making any statements at this stage.
Irwin was known for his larger-than-life personality and seemingly outrageous antics. His programmes are seen by an estimated 500 million people in 136 countries, but while Irwin had a big public profile overseas, he was very passionate about Australia, its people and its wildlife. He single-handedly brought back the old-fashioned Australian term "Crikey!" from the brink of oblivion.
He has been the public face of many environmental projects such as the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, and most recently has promoted Australia's quarantine laws to incoming tourists.
Efforts are continuing to tell his widow, American-born Terri who is currently tramping in a remote part of Tasmania. They have two children, eight-year-old Bindi and three-year-old Bob.
Steve Irwin's father Bob started Australia Zoo, north of Brisbane, in 1970, turning over management to his son in 1991.
Irwin worked for many years for the Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management programme, which saw him spend years living on his own in the mosquito-infested creeks, rivers and mangroves of North Queensland catching huge crocodiles single-handed.
The first Crocodile Hunter documentary was made in 1992 and was hugely successful. Over the following three years, 10 one hour episodes were made and screened worldwide. There have now been more than 70 episodes of "The Crocodile Hunter", 53 episodes of "Croc Files", and 43 episodes of "Croc Diaries". His programmes are seen by an estimated 500 million people in 136 countries.
However, Irwin maintained his down-to-earth Aussie sense of humour. He once said in the end he would rather tangle with a real snake than the venomous creatures of the TV and film industry, especially those in suits in Hollywood.
Steve and Terri Irwin have two children, Bindi (8) and Robert (5).
Newstalk
Steve Irwin, one of the world's most famous naturalists, has died in a freak
accident.
Mr Irwin, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, has died while filming a documentary off the coast of north Queensland, when a stingray barb went through his chest.
The 44-year-old was at Batt's Reef north of Port Douglas when the accident occurred. Mr Irwin's body is being flown to Cairns.
Brisbane Courier-Post reporter Cameron Hatchford told Newstalk ZB the stingray's barb hit him in the chest, and he died from a cardiac arrest shortly afterwards.
Mr Hatchford said Far North police were frantically trying to contact Irwin's wife Terri, to tell her the news before the media did. She is understood to be tramping in a remote area of Tasmania and it may be some time before she can be informed.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the Crocodile Hunter.
John Wyegal works at Australia Zoo, which Steve Irwin and his wife Terri operate north of Brisbane. He has been a long-time friend of the naturalist since he was a teenager.
"One of the things that was endearing about Steve," he told the Australian Radio Network, "was that he walked close to the line and it sounds like in this case he may have stepped over it".
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has paid tribute to Irwin for his work promoting the country. Mr Downer used a photograph of his family at Australia Zoo for his official Christmas card last year.
Queensland State Premier Peter Beattie said Mr Irwin's death was shocking news, and also paid tribute to the naturalist, who was voted Queenslander of the Year on a number of occasions for his work promoting the state, and encouraging tourism. He once described Irwin as "a fantastic advocate" for Queensland.
Australia Zoo says it will not be making any statements at this stage.
Irwin was known for his larger-than-life personality and seemingly outrageous antics. His programmes are seen by an estimated 500 million people in 136 countries, but while Irwin had a big public profile overseas, he was very passionate about Australia, its people and its wildlife. He single-handedly brought back the old-fashioned Australian term "Crikey!" from the brink of oblivion.
He has been the public face of many environmental projects such as the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, and most recently has promoted Australia's quarantine laws to incoming tourists.
Efforts are continuing to tell his widow, American-born Terri who is currently tramping in a remote part of Tasmania. They have two children, eight-year-old Bindi and three-year-old Bob.
Steve Irwin's father Bob started Australia Zoo, north of Brisbane, in 1970, turning over management to his son in 1991.
Irwin worked for many years for the Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management programme, which saw him spend years living on his own in the mosquito-infested creeks, rivers and mangroves of North Queensland catching huge crocodiles single-handed.
The first Crocodile Hunter documentary was made in 1992 and was hugely successful. Over the following three years, 10 one hour episodes were made and screened worldwide. There have now been more than 70 episodes of "The Crocodile Hunter", 53 episodes of "Croc Files", and 43 episodes of "Croc Diaries". His programmes are seen by an estimated 500 million people in 136 countries.
However, Irwin maintained his down-to-earth Aussie sense of humour. He once said in the end he would rather tangle with a real snake than the venomous creatures of the TV and film industry, especially those in suits in Hollywood.
Steve and Terri Irwin have two children, Bindi (8) and Robert (5).
Newstalk