Shock! Croc Hunter, Steve Irwin, Killed…by Stingray

September 4, 2006 Tragedy View Comments

I am in shock! I know this isn’t war news, terrorism news, or the other front-bunner type stuff, but just today we’re learning the Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter from Australia, has been killed at the barb of a stingray. This is just too bizarre, and very very sad.

From News.Com.Au:

A DOCTOR has told of the desperate efforts to save Australian icon Steve Irwin after the Crocodile Hunter was struck in the chest by a stingray barb today.

Irwin, 44, died this morning after being fatally injured while filming a nature documentary off Queensland.

The news has shocked the nation and prompted a rush of tributes from politicians and the public alike.

Irwin’s wife Terri was in Tasmania at the time of the tragedy and had to be contacted by police with the terrible news.

Dr Ed O’Loughlin was aboard the Emergency Management Queensland Helicopter which was called from Cairns at 11.21am (AEST).

Irwin was being given CPR at Low Isles, off Port Douglas, as the helicopter arrived less than one hour after the incident, but Dr O’Loughlin said nothing could be done to save him.

“It became clear fairly soon that he had non-survivable injuries,” Dr O’Loughlin said.

“He had a penetrating injury to the left front of his chest.

“He had lost his pulse and wasn’t breathing.”

Father-of-two Irwin was swimming at Batt Reef, off the Low Isles, when the tragedy occurred.

Tasmania Police this afternoon confirmed his wife Terri was travelling in the state at the time of the tragedy.

A spokeswoman said police had made contact with Mrs Irwin and “passed on a message relating to the death of her husband.”

Photo Courtesy of News.Com.Au

I know that many people out there are going to say “well, he asked for it,” and crap like that, but I have to tell you I personally liked Steve Irwin. I’m very sad to see this happen. The irony is he wasn’t killed by a croc – it was the stingray.

God rest in peace, Steve, and I’m praying for his wife Terri and their children.

Also blogging about this are Right on the Right, Cao’s Blog, and Red State Blue.