I'm Stunned Numb

[AfterShock]

This morning I read something that I just cannot accept. Now I must come to grips with the reality of what has happened and who has been taken from us at the young age of 44-years-old, and leaves behind a wife, and two young children, who now must continue on without the guidance of their larger than life husband and father.

September 3, 2006.

Steve Irwin has been killed while filming an underwater documentary in Queensland.

The 44-year-old dubbed as 'The Crocodile Hunter', was killed by a stingray barb through the chest while diving off Port Douglas.

Local diving operator Steve Edmundson said: "Steve was hit by a stingray in the chest. He probably died from a cardiac arrest from the injury."

Police confirmed that paramedics were flown to nearby Low Isles, where Irwin was taken to be treated, but died before they arrived.

Irwin, who runs the world famous Australia Zoo, is survived by his wife Terri and their two young children Bindi and Bob Clarence.

Speaking to Sky Television, Queensland Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said: "It's a dreadful loss for the tourism industry and for nature conservation."

"Everybody who met Steve was impressed with his energy and his enthusiasm," she said.

Irwin made almost 50 'Crocodile Hunter' documentaries, which earned him worldwide acclaim for his dare-devil stunts with animals.

I don't even want to begin to imagine the extent of the loss. For now, I can't even imagine Steve Irwin is gone. Not just the ending of one of his personality filled programs -- until next time. There will be no "next time" -- this time I'm afraid.

My heart goes out to his lovely wife Terri and their two small children. Where Steve was a part of our lives in no small way -- to Terri and the children, Steve was their reality -- now checked. How can it be? No, not Steve -- not daddy! There must be some mistake! Steve Irwin IS the 'Corcodile Hunter'. This wasn't supposed to happen. Where is Steve's voice telling us "it's all right mate?"
It isn't "alright" -- is it mate? His warnings: -- DO NOT try this at home,-- really hit home this time. There was risk. There was danger. There was the way Steve could make a most serious event seem like part of the script. But this wan't in the script. The script called for Steve to be here, to explain the events taking place before our very eyes. Bigger than life, now without life.

Rest in peace Steve. We have only just begun to know the meaning of "missing."
Thank you for sharing yourself with us -- with the world. Your memory will live on in us as we carry on. You educated us in your unique way. You taught us of things we probably never would have had presented to us if not for you. My life has been made better as a direct result of your caring enough to bring your knowledge to us in so many ways. How can we ever thank you enough?

Never again will we be able to catch you on the late night talk show circuit, entertaining us while educating us at the same time. Never again will we be subjected to your bubbly and unique personality -- so full of life. How could a stingray's actions be felt by hundreds of thousands of Steve's fans world-wide?
To live through a war zone, only to meet fate head on while doing what has broght satisfaction and pleasure to himself as well as those he enjoyed entertaining, is something that will take some time to soak in and even longer before I can accept what the world lost with your passing.

Had I known this would be our last walk in the park, I would have done things diferently. But, I didn't -- so I didn't.
I know it can all be over in a twinkling of the eye, but we're talkin' 'bout Steve Irwin here -- The Crocodile Hunter -- for Pete's sake. What happened -- can't happen -- to The Crocodile Hunter. Ya know?
It just can't be true.
At least not for a while longer.
I can't bring myself to say good-bye.
Not right now. Not for a while. Maybe someday.
Not today.
Not for me
Not today.

[Busch Babe 899]

RIP Steve...My heart goes out to Terry and the kids...I always enjoyed his shows, I even remember when Terry went from assistant to wife, then mother of his child...and even the goofy movie made me laugh...like a race car driver, he chose a life that was dangerous. That's so sad. 

[Chris]

Yeah,.. I understand Terry is off on a safari (or somewhere) and couldn't be contacted... not even sure SHE is aware of the events yet.

What is truely IRONIC is the fact he was killed by a stingray.  I've been to several places and swam with stingrays myself.  Stingrays are supposed to be pretty docile and are not agressive at all.
With all the venemous snakes, aligators, crocidiles, etc he has messed with that is so SO deadly,.. to get killed by something that was 'pretty docile' and is really odd.
It was more a fluke than anything.

I guess no one will know WHY the ray stung him in the first place.  From the interviews I have heard today it came as a total surprise, and they had no idea what may have got the Rays ire up.

It's very sad.  I guess it just goes to show,.. live each day to the fullest,... you never know when it may be your last.  Hug your kids, tell the people that mean something to you that you love them.

[Racergiant]

I was shocked too.......  I had to reread the headline twice.

Steve Irwin was a favorite of Jay Leno...  I wonder what kind of tribute Jay will have when he's on next....  

I don't think Jay will be live today seeing how it's a holiday...

[Chris]

Animal Planet had several shows on last night about his life, and tomes.  documentaries, etc...
They were very interesting

[AfterShock]

Did they menton Steve's wife, Terri -- is originally from Oregon?

[Chris]

hhuummm
I don't remember... I know they did say she was from the U.S....
It was a LOT of interviews.... people talking about Steve, and Steve being interviewed.   Stuff done back in 2000, 2002,.. and 2004 (the three one hours shows I saw.)  Maybe have been more shows I missed.
Had his dad, wife, producer, best friend, basically everyone he interacts with in day to day life.
Told about his mom and how she died in a car crash,...
Told about his parents and how they raised him around wild life,.. he and his dad captured gaters together that needed relocated, .... so this was just the way he was raised.
His folks started the zoo in Australia, that STeve loved and cared for.
It was also the way he was planning on raising HIS kids,... dealing with wild animals, respect for wild life, teaching other people to love animals and respect them, etc
it was all very good and very interesting.

[sweetwahine]

Steve and his dad captured Crocodiles together, I watched Animal planet last night as well and there was a piece by Steve where he said it was love at first sight with Terri whom hails from Eugene, Oregon. She was hiking in Tasmania at the time of the accident. So tragic I am blown away by this accidents come with the occupation but he was one of those guys that was larger than life. Steve in a sense was Australlas Dale.

[skool]

CRIKEY! RIP My good man. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you, mate. You will be missed.

[IndyCarzGo]

Was a stingray that did the man in.....barb to the heart... and the amazing thing is that stingrays are usually harmless to man as they usually will avoid a confrontation because they get scared!! Go figgure!

[Racergiant]

They said tonight that Terri was not going to allow the actual video to be shown.  Good for you Terri - just like Dale Sr.'s wife.  Teresa went to court to prevent the coroners pics from being released...

They also said the video guy was in front of the ray and that Steve swam over top of the ray from behind...  Apparently Steve freaked the ray and it did what it does naturally...  Lashed that tail...

Sorry to see you go Steve. 

R.I.P.