who would have thought?

Shortly after 11:00am local time on 4 September 2006, Irwin was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray while diving in Queensland's Batt Reef, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef. The events were caught on camera and the footage is now in the possession of Queensland Police. Irwin was in the area filming his own documentary, to be called The Ocean's Deadliest, but weather had stalled filming. Irwin decided to take the opportunity to film some shallow water shots for a segment in the television program his daughter Bindi was hosting.

After reviewing the footage of the incident and speaking to the cameraman who recorded it, marine documentary filmmaker and fisherman Ben Cropp speculated that the stingray "felt threatened because Steve was alongside and there was the cameraman ahead..."In such a case, the stingray responds to "danger from above" by automatically flexing the serrated barb on its tail (which can measure up to a maximum of 25cm or 10 inches in length) in an upward motion. In this case, the motion struck Irwin's chest and pierced his heart. Crewmembers aboard his boat called emergency services in the nearest city of Cairns and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later.

The Queensland Police Service notified his family and released a statement for the media concerning his death. News of his death prompted a public outpouring expressing shock and loss. Several Australian news websites went down because of high web traffic and talk-back radio experienced a high volume of callers expressing their grief,commemorating his passion and exuberance. Prime Minister John Howard, among many other politicians, expressed his "shock and distress" at the death, saying that "Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son.”Irwin's body was flown to a morgue in Cairns, where stunned family and friends were gathering on Monday night. His wife Terri was informed of her husband's death while on a walking tour in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania, and returned to the Sunshine Coast with their two children.

His name is Steve Irwin and his show Crocodile Hunter was a great show for families. He was an asset to allot of people. I hope that Terri will continue with the work he was so passionate about. Many prayers to his family and long live his shows and memories.

Steve Irwin. This was a real shocker, particularly after watching his shows for so many years and all the dangerous things he would do. Peace and love to his family and friends.

Hard to believe a hard working, animal care-taker live him would die from a a sting. I remember an episode where he got bitten by a snake and knew how to treat it. But this was different. The sting went through his ribcage and to his heart, so hopefully it was instant, so he didn't have to suffer. May he R.I.P.

I couldn't belive it when i heard the news. He was such a great conservationist, had a real passion for what he did.

So many crocs owe his life to him. And his poor wife and baby. My heart goes out to them. He was such a proud dad.

Rest in Peace steve

Steve Irwin, He died doing sometime he was very passionate about. What a unique individual. He will be missed.

Steve Irwin,it is sad,ididnt know andlastnightmymate sent me a sick joke about him andi was like is steve irwin dead co these texts only happen when someone dies then i heard it on news, itis sad.

Steve was never expected to die the way he did but he lived in danger and died quickly happily doing what he loved. He will be missed.

that is so sad. and his son didn't even get the chance to know him well. the only memory that he'll really have is when he was being held by his dad while dad was feeding a gator. people will always remind him of that growing up.

Death is always rubbish but well he was putting his life on the line to make other people entertained.. I think it was a bit silly anyway