'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin dies in stingray attack

[Youngfox]

'Crocodile Hunter' dies in stingray attack

Irwin, 44, had been filming a documentary off Port Douglas in northern Queensland when he was killed by a stingray barb through the heart.
He was rushed to hospital by helicopter, but he died en route.

His documentary producer and longtime friend John Stainton was with him when he died.

"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

"He left this world in a peaceful and happy state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs rule.' "

 

[jaye]

The Timely Death of Steve Irwin

I just heard the news today that Steve Irwin was killed by a Stingray which managed to pierce him through the heart during the filming of a movie he was working on. He was DOA when the rescue boat hit the shore. The guy had it coming IMHO considering all the moronic stunts he did in his brief life to gain publicity and high ratings for the Animal Planet channel. Amongst these life threatening antics: holding one of his infant children in his arms while taunting a crocodile, bareback riding a whale, etc. etc. His wreckless approach to interacting with animals has done absolutely nothing for their welfare whatsoever. Instead, Crocodile Hunter fans inspired by the obviously IQ challenged Steve no doubt have set out in the wild themselves to wrestle with poisonous snakes, taunt Kimodo Dragons and otherwise harass critters who should simply be left alone no matter what. May Steve's timely death serve as a necessary warning to other celebrity naturalists who instead should be conveying a message that animals should be respected and left in their natural habitat undisturbed-not shoved in front of some glaring TV lights and expected to entertain us at their expense.

 

[Ben]

The Timely Death of Steve Irwin

I just heard the news today that Steve Irwin was killed by a Stingray which managed to pierce him through the heart during the filming of a movie he was working on. He was DOA when the rescue boat hit the shore. The guy had it coming IMHO considering all the moronic stunts he did in his brief life to gain publicity and high ratings for the Animal Planet channel. Amongst these life threatening antics: holding one of his infant children in his arms while taunting a crocodile, bareback riding a whale, etc. etc. His wreckless approach to interacting with animals has done absolutely nothing for their welfare whatsoever. Instead, Crocodile Hunter fans inspired by the obviously IQ challenged Steve no doubt have set out in the wild themselves to wrestle with poisonous snakes, taunt Kimodo Dragons and otherwise harass critters who should simply be left alone no matter what. May Steve's timely death serve as a necessary warning to other celebrity naturalists who instead should be conveying a message that animals should be respected and left in their natural habitat undisturbed-not shoved in front of some glaring TV lights and expected to entertain us at their expense.

His death leaves two young children without a father, I find the posting of your opinion, especially the way in which you have phrased it, offensive.

 

[Mark]

Interesting that the stingray struck him in the heart... as if to say, where is your empathy? Speculation on my part, I know. What surprised me is that he has children. What kind of person would put themselves in extreme physical danger over and over and over knowing full well that there are people who depend on him? Dealing with psychopaths can be dangersous, sure, but confronting crocodiles, snakes, and all kinds of other wild creatures is just plain foolish if not outright stupid.

 

[jaye]

sans his bereaved wife and kids, I still hold to my opinion-but obviously he didn't respect their lives otherwise he wouldn't have risked his so often.

 

[Amelopsis]

Keeping his death in context (so many people suffer far worse and more tragic ends daily as a result of so many horrid plans) I must say that I'm struck at the lack of empathy displayed here.

He seemed to me to always attempt to promote the preservation of the habitats of the creatures he approached, and to dispel the baseless fear of them while encouraging a respect for the environment.

I'd hazzard a guess that we risk our lives more readily by crossing the street, and we definitely risk our sanity more readily by interacting with psycopaths.

I can't help but see the irony in accusing the man of a lack of empathy.

 

[jaye]

Seems like a major point is being missed here: Steve blatantly risked his child's life by bringing it near a Crocodile. What man with any empathy, compassion or awareness would ever do this? Did he have a psychopathic episode-a moment of dissociation? Sorry for my seeming lack of empathy but-I find his behavior quite reptilian pardon the pun.

 

[John Chang]

What he did was fairly risky. I always wondered when the odds would catch up with him.

At least he died doing what he loved. In my mind that's better than living doing what you hate.

 

[Guest]

Keeping his death in context (so many people suffer far worse and more tragic ends daily as a result of so many horrid plans) I must say that I'm struck at the lack of empathy displayed here..

My first thought on reading the posts here was that there are people dying horrable deaths every day in the war torn areas, children are losing parents every day and vice versa. That is not to say his death was not tragic but keeping his death in context, he did make the decision to live his life the way he did. That led to his death and can the same be said of the innocent victims of the war?

So, while it is sad to hear of his death, and the fact that he left a family behind who depended on him is also sad, at least he died doing what he loved to do.

 

[Amelopsis]

Just to clarify, my comment about 'lack of empathy displayed here' was about the first few comments containing criticism of his life; I meant nothing more by it.

I don't know what is meant by asking if innocent victims can be considered as having contributed to their own deaths. It seems an oxymoron to me, but I'm not sure I understand your meaning.

 

[Mark]

At least he died doing what he loved.

at least he died doing what he loved to do.

Now that you both have said this I wonder whether you heard it on the news or just thought of it yourselves. The news reports make this same statement repeatedly - nevermind that they are filling broadcast space with stuff of almost no significance (hours of coverage of poor dead Steve) while people suffer all over the world.

 

[Guest]

Just to clarify, my comment about 'lack of empathy displayed here' was about the first few comments containing criticism of his life; I meant nothing more by it.

I don't know what is meant by asking if innocent victims can be considered as having contributed to their own deaths. It seems an oxymoron to me, but I'm not sure I understand your meaning.

I simple mean that he had some say so over how he lived his life and that the kind of life he chose to live was risky and eventually led to his death.

 

[Guest]

At least he died doing what he loved.

at least he died doing what he loved to do.

Now that you both have said this I wonder whether you heard it on the news or just thought of it yourselves. The news reports make this same statement repeatedly - nevermind that they are filling broadcast space with stuff of almost no significance (hours of coverage of poor dead Steve) while people suffer all over the world.

I saw a report of his death on Yahoo and what has been posted here. It appeared to me that he very much enjoyed what he did since he did it with such enthusiasm. I could be wrong of course and maybe it was just showmanship.

 

[Beau]

Well, when I first read of what happened to him this morning, I was saddened. The guy brought plenty of joy into my life. What he chose to do, with bringing his child near an croc and other things, were his decisions and I'm not going to criticize him for them, especially since he passed. I also thought those who criticized him were being insensitive. You want to complain about that, do it then and leave it at that. To bring it up when he has just died is inappropriate imo. Even though what he did was probably irresponsible, I don't think it's good timing to bring it up now.

In the end, I will remember all the times he made me laugh. I think the passion with which he displayed on his shows is indicative of how much he enjoyed what he did.

 

[Mark]

Even though what he did was probably irresponsible, I don't think it's good timing to bring it up now.

It's fairly standard to talk about someone's life upon their death or shortly thereafter. It doesn't have to be all roses in my opinion. I empathize with his family, and with him to a certain extent. Even so I still think the guy was foolish and that's what stands out the most to me about him. I don't think that's criticism, it's just my perspective. Sometimes looking at the negative side of issues brings about positive results. For example, I won't be swimming with rays or wrestling crocs or toying with snakes and spiders etc., even if I could make somebody happy or more informed in the process.