Steve Irwin "Croc Hunter" killed in action

[NHCharger]

Killed by a Stingray.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=127456

[8WHEELER]

  I heard about that, I liked him, yes he was all over the place but he was a great all around guy he will be missed 

Dan

[73chgrSE]

That is very sad. We loved to watch him. From one reptile lover to another, RIP.

[dodge freak]

When he was first on TV in the early 90's he had a Pit Bull type of dog and when it was dinner time him and his dog would find a wild bore and have it for dinner. After they drove around and spot one he let the dog loose and the dog would hold it down and Steve would come and kill it with his knife.  He skin and cook it and him and his dog would then eat it right by where they killed it.  That's a real hunter for you.

Rest in peace Steve

[Charger_Fan]

That's sad news. That was definitely one guy who was full of life & loved what he did.
He died doing what he loved & in my opinion, that's the best way to go.

R.I.P. Steve, you'll be missed.

[TruckDriver]

You beat me to it. This is what I got off Yahoo news, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060904/ts_nm/australia_irwin_dc_9

He was definately crazy, but also I loved watching him. R.I.P. Steve.

[Shakey]

Is this the same guy that put his child in grave danger a year or so ago by bringing him / her with him into the reptile pen?

Like my Father had told me as a young man - "if you mess with the bull, you're gonna get the horns"

So, does this guy qualify for a Darwin award?

[Chris G.]

Sad to hear. Real energetic guy that was living his dream.

Just for the heck of it, I went to ebay this morning and searched his name. Before yesterday there were about 15 items for sale. As of yesterday there were 6 pages of new stuff. Nice huh?  

[bull]

Like my Father had told me as a young man - "if you mess with the bull, you're gonna get the horns"

Remember that.

Anyway, I really liked that guy but I somehow knew he was going to get killed the way he took chances.

[dodge freak]

Hey he made it to 44 years old and he said hes been out in the wild since he was 5 years old so thats 39 years of fooling around with killer beasts, pretty darn good you ask me. His dad was a park ranger. Funny thing is that those fish rarely kill anybody last time over there was in 1945. Maybe he should have retired at 40 , made lots of money I do believe.

[70charginglizard]

"The guy was incredible. His knowledge was incredible," Hanna said. "Some people that are doing this stuff are actors and that type of thing, but Steve was truly a zoologist, so to speak, a person who knew what he was doing. Yes, he did things a lot of people wouldn't do. I think he knew what he was doing."


well said.

This is so sad. I really liked Steve.

Steves the reason I went with the V1G gator grain theam on my car.

Truely a very cool guy pasionate about what he loved in life and will be greatly miss by many.

Hats off.

Stingray.....It had to be a Chevy

[tan top]

sad news , of all the dangerous stuff he did with , crocodiles, poisonous snakes / spiders etc , then gets taken out by a stingray .
R I P

[Shakey]

Like my Father had told me as a young man - "if you mess with the bull, you're gonna get the horns"

Remember that.

I knew it, I just knew it as I typed it that I was gonna get one of these  from you.    

[Lowprofile]

Very sad news. I feel bad for his wife & kids. RIP Steve

[greenpigs]

Is this the same guy that put his child in grave danger a year or so ago by bringing him / her with him into the reptile pen?

Like my Father had told me as a young man - "if you mess with the bull, you're gonna get the horns"

So, does this guy qualify for a Darwin award?

Real classy Shakey

  Most of use earn a living by going to a building and putting the time in on whatever our job is. Steve had a much different way of supporting his family and he did what he loved.

[Blown70]

While this is sad news, I do have to say then when you put yourself in the situations he did well,  Play with fire long enough you may get burned....

Does not change that this is sad, and I did like his antics.  He certainly loved his job!

[Shakey]

Is this the same guy that put his child in grave danger a year or so ago by bringing him / her with him into the reptile pen?

Like my Father had told me as a young man - "if you mess with the bull, you're gonna get the horns"

So, does this guy qualify for a Darwin award?

Real classy Shakey

  Most of use earn a living by going to a building and putting the time in on whatever our job is. Steve had a much different way of supporting his family and he did what he loved.

ooooohhhh noooo, I offended Greenpigs!  

How's he gonna support his family now?  Huh?  

He did what he loved and now he's dead.  Sounds like a selfish bloke eh!   

Everyone sounds so shocked that the "Crocodile Hunter" got killed.  Wasn't it only a matter of time?  Hey, if he died in a car wreck or something tragic like that I admit, I'd show a bit more sympathy.

In reality, yeah it's a shame that guy that provided a lot of entertainment to a lot of people who was a Son, Husband & Father has died but he died playing with fire.

If someone tells me their 94 year old Grandmother passed away - a shame and sad.

If someone tells me their 24 year old Brother passed away - tragic.

If a Son, Father, Husband gets killed on the way to office in a car wreck - tragic.

If a Son, Father, Husband gets killed while playing with crocodiles, snakes and other dealy animals - a shame and sad.  Not surprising.

BTW Greenpigs - you wanna start throwing around the word "classy" in a sarcastic way while addressing me, I'll go dig through all your old posts a put together a whole pile of your "classy" comments.  You know, the ones directed at other members of this board.   

[Silver R/T]

thats sucks, hope his family gonna be alright

[NHCharger]

Can't croc's run up to 20 MPH? He took his fair share of chances over the years including bringing his infant son into a pen with a croc. I feel sorry for his wife and two young children. In a job like his the law of average's eventually catches up to you. However it was a freak accident that the barb penetrated his heart.

[Mefirst]

It´s just sad... I enjoyed the nature programs he did and he was quite the character.. It would have been fun to drink a couple of cold ones with him...

[greenpigs]

BTW Greenpigs - you wanna start throwing around the word "classy" in a sarcastic way while addressing me, I'll go dig through all your old posts a put together a whole pile of your "classy" comments.  You know, the ones directed at other members of this board.   

Go ahead, try finding a life while your at it.

I hardly every talk down to members here and if I do I think they deserve it.

But I do agree he was risking his life constantly and it doesn't suprise me that he was killed. You could have been a little more human about it.

[Ponch ®]

I hear the stingray was just the fall guy. The crocs put out the word and ok'd the hit.

[gtx6970]

I hear the stingray was just the fall guy. The crocs put out the word and ok'd the hit.

[Charger71]

I hate it that the Crikey Croc man was killed.  Cut and paste this link about another man that studied wild animals, namely Grizzlies, and was ultimately killed by them...

www.katmaibears.com/grizzly-attack.htm

Rest in Peace... Steve Urwin...

[Ponch ®]

I know a guy who hunted and killed a man-eating lion in Africa. For real.

[hemi68charger]

This is a crying Shame.......  One wonders why just a good guy has to leave this planet and we have to go without the great efforts and humanity of such and have to deal with the bloody likes of people like Osama and radical jerks.........

My heart goes out to Steve's wife and two lovely kids......

At least he went out doing what he loved............



Troy

PS: For those that think this is funny and selfish, I for one would never wish my father not do the things he loved, that's what made him WHO is was and a shining example to a child on how to follow and fullfill YOUR dreams, not those of someone else. As far as taking care of his family, I hardly think they aren't going to be provided for in either support or insurance. I'm sure he's got a nice little nest-egg for his family.

[dodge freak]

Yeah and now the book and movie deals are just getting started.

I am sure his wife and kids would rather have him back.

[Charger_Fan]

PS: For those that think this is funny and selfish, I for one would never wish my father not do the things he loved, that's what made him WHO is was and a shining example to a child on how to follow and fullfill YOUR dreams, not those of someone else. As far as taking care of his family, I hardly think they aren't going to be provided for in either support or insurance. I'm sure he's got a nice little nest-egg for his family.

I couldn't agree more. .
No matter how you slice it, 100% of us are gonna die...and not one of us knows how or where it will happen. I for one, would rather go out doing something I really loved, than to die from some mystery infection (or something) that takes months to kill me.

I'm quite sure he had a good insurance policy & he didn't leave his family broke. It is sad that he was taken while still so young, but I know for sure he had more fun & got way more enjoyment from life during his days on this marble than most of us would if we lived to be 95.

I applaud the man. He was able to make a good living doing something he really loved & it showed in his demeanor...and no, I don't think he qualifies for the Darwin list.

[PocketThunder]

I know a guy who hunted and killed a man-eating lion in Africa. For real.

THIS GUY?   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=14

[Shakey]

So the lesson from this:

Do what you love to do, no matter the risk or the consequences for the loved ones in your life!  As long as you are happy!   

In this case a man was doing what he loved and has now left a Wife without a Husband and Children without a Father.  Yes, he probably did leave some money behind and from the sounds of it, that is all that matters.   

As long as they have money everything will be alright - correct?   

The kids won't care that Dad is not at their dance recital, little league game, graduation or wedding - as long as there is money to pay for it - who cares - correct?   

I agree Grant - we will all die.  I for one will do my best to make sure that I am around for as long as possible for numerous reasons. 

The main reasons are my Children.  When I chose to marry my Wife I agreed that we would make an effort to start a family.  When we decided to have Children I made a conscious decision to make sure that I did / will do, whatever it takes to ensure that they live a healthy and happy life until they make the decison to venture out on their own.  I am not just speaking financially here, I am talking about being a Father to a Child that is my responsibility.  My new role in life is to ensure that my Daughters grow up in a warm and loving household where they are taught right from wrong, good from bad and being responsible for their own actions.  I made that decision and plan on following through. 

This man chose to do what he loved - good for him.  At the same time he was not living up to his responsibility as a Father - shame on him!     If this was something he really loved, then 8 years ago when his Daughter was born he should have passed the torch to his protege and hung on as Director or Producer or something along the lines where he could continue to be involved but out of the reach of the danger so he could be there at the end of the day for his family.

Once again, it is sad that the man died - especially for his Wife, 8 year old Daughter and the 3 year old Son that was just getting to know him.  That is the saddest part!

We all can't be doing what we love to do because we'd all be in the garage right now, drinking beer trying to restore our Chargers.   

[hemi68charger]

So the lesson from this:

Do what you love to do, no matter the risk or the consequences for the loved ones in your life!  As long as you are happy!   

In this case a man was doing what he loved and has now left a Wife without a Husband and Children without a Father.  Yes, he probably did leave some money behind and from the sounds of it, that is all that matters.   

As long as they have money everything will be alright - correct?   

The kids won't care that Dad is not at their dance recital, little league game, graduation or wedding - as long as there is money to pay for it - who cares - correct?   

I agree Grant - we will all die.  I for one will do my best to make sure that I am around for as long as possible for numerous reasons. 

The main reasons are my Children.  When I chose to marry my Wife I agreed that we would make an effort to start a family.  When we decided to have Children I made a conscious decision to make sure that I did / will do, whatever it takes to ensure that they live a healthy and happy life until they make the decison to venture out on their own.  I am not just speaking financially here, I am talking about being a Father to a Child that is my responsibility.  My new role in life is to ensure that my Daughters grow up in a warm and loving household where they are taught right from wrong, good from bad and being responsible for their own actions.  I made that decision and plan on following through. 

This man chose to do what he loved - good for him.  At the same time he was not living up to his responsibility as a Father - shame on him!     If this was something he really loved, then 8 years ago when his Daughter was born he should have passed the torch to his protege and hung on as Director or Producer or something along the lines where he could continue to be involved but out of the reach of the danger so he could be there at the end of the day for his family.

Once again, it is sad that the man died - especially for his Wife, 8 year old Daughter and the 3 year old Son that was just getting to know him.  That is the saddest part!

We all can't be doing what we love to do because we'd all be in the garage right now, drinking beer trying to restore our Chargers.   

And his wife knew exactly what he did when they got married... There was no secret... So, only single people should be risk takers? Come on Shakey. I understand your point of view, but there's a bigger picture as well....... I'm sure Teri Irwin wouldn't want him to stop what he was doing...  The whole reason I'm sure she fell in love with the man was because of who he is....  We agree to disagree on this.. I think he was being the utmost of fathers... He utterly adored his children according to his friends and colleagues. It was his time..... It could be yours tomorrow if a person runs a red light and kills you.. Does it make you a bad father because you made a choice to drive a vehicle to work instead of finding a job where you could walk?...... Of course not.......

I for one have applications in for a mission specialist with NASA. If I get hired, does that make me a bad father and husband? I choose to volunteer to go to Iraq last year with my Air Force Unit and got mortared every other day... Does that make me a bad father and husband?.....

Troy

[bull]

That's right. When your number's up, it's up. You could be the safest person in the world and get run over going to the mailbox at the age of 30. No guarantees in life no matter what, but some people like to temp fate and they pay the price sometimes.

[dodge freak]

This poor guy just had bad luck , what he was doing was not like playing with fire. Very few people have been killed by that type of fish. Perhaps he thought this was safer then all the other stuff he has done. He did know how to control most beast who would kill any of us. This guy is not done making money also, he is known world wide and his books , movies and zoo will be bring in big bucks for a long time. Yeah his kids are heart broken so thats very sad but they should still have a great life ahead of them but not as good as it should have been.

Does everybody know that Elvis is making more money every year now than when he was alive ? Well hes not really but all his stuff is and his wife and daughter have a ton of money cause of it.

[Ponch ®]

I know a guy who hunted and killed a man-eating lion in Africa. For real.

THIS GUY?   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=14

no..that guy could hardly catch a pussy...let alone a lion. 

[Shakey]

I agree with you guys - when it's time to go it's time to go - never questioned that.    However, I feel that putting ones life at risk for the sake of doing something you love and putting your family second is just not right, no matter how big the picture is.  

I also understand what you are saying Troy but comparing driving to the office as opposed to handling snakes and crocodiles - I don't see the comparrison.

If one wants to go to Iraq to fight in a war, into outer space or even become a police officer or fire fighter - good!  The world needs more people like that becasue it makes the world a better place to live in.

By tangling with wild animals that could kill you - well, great entertainment I'd agree, but still kinda selfish in my eyes as far as being a Father to two young Children.  Is the world a better place because of that TV show?    Some would say yes, wheras I'd say not really.  By operating a zoo for the world to learn and understand more about the animals we share the planet with, good stuff.  I still say he should have passed the torch to someone else once the Children arrived on the scene.  That's just me.

He adored his kids alright - he even took 'em to work with him!  

Some controversy arose during a public show on 2 January 2004, when Irwin carried his one-month-old son, Bob, in his arm while hand-feeding a chicken carcass to a 4-meter-long crocodile. The infant was close to the crocodile, and comparisons were made in the press to Michael Jackson's dangling of his son outside a German hotel window.  In addition, child welfare groups, animal rights groups, and some of Irwin's television viewers criticised his actions as being irresponsible and tantamount to child abuse.  Irwin claimed that any danger to his son was only a perceived danger and that he was in complete control of the situation, and consistently refused to apologise for his actions despite public outcry, by some, both in Australia and abroad. His defenders pointed to his many decades of hands-on professional experience and direct interaction with crocodiles, as well as his well-known devotion to his responsibilities as a father. Terri Irwin claimed that their child was in no more real danger than a child being taught to swim would be. No charges were filed; according to one journalist, Irwin has told officials he would not repeat the stunt.  The incident prompted the Queensland government to change its crocodile-handling laws, banning children and untrained adults from entering crocodile enclosures.

Let us know if you do get the NASA job - that's pretty cool stuff.  

[Ponch ®]

I'm not gonna get into the selfish/unselfish argument here, but I do take issue with those who say we shouldn't make jokes or anything of that sort about it.

The guy knew what he was doing, and that was why he appealed to people. Do you think anyone would watch his show if there wasn't a possibility of him getting eaten by a crocodile or some other creature? The risk factor is what made it interesting - hence why there is no "Flamingo Hunter" show. He knew the risks involved, and it was for the sake of entertainment (and for him, fame and fortune). While I agree that his death is sad and tragic, I still say that if you tempt fate too many times like he did it will eventually catch up with you.

As Shakey already said - cops, firemen, etc. take risks that are necessary and benefit others in a tangible way. That's why they are heroes. Crikey was just some reckless daredevil in the same vein as Evil Knievel, the Wallendas, and others putting their life at risk through their own volition and knowing the consequences.

And that's why I'm gonna joke about it all I want. 

[dodge freak]

Yes but the guys not even been bury yet. Its not in good taste to laugh about something like death so soon. Give it some time, think about his Mother , Father, Wife , Kids and all who love the guy so much. Still say it was a freak thing, getting  killed by a fish who maybe killed 30 people at the most.

As for him not being a great Father , how do we know HE really wanted kids ? Sure his Wife did but maybe he really did not care to have any just yet. He still was a better Father to them then many other Dads. Its not like he was just hanging around a bar getting drunk. He was making money the best way he knew how. We don't even know how much he was making but I bet it was more than any of us make. I am sure he love his kids very much and would be shock that anybody would think he was a bad Father. Remember this guy was good, its not like he was doing something that he did not know anything about. Its not like he was getting old and had a few close calls. Stuff happens, who to say he would not have been killed some other way.

[hemi68charger]

I'm not gonna get into the selfish/unselfish argument here, but I do take issue with those who say we shouldn't make jokes or anything of that sort about it.

The guy knew what he was doing, and that was why he appealed to people. Do you think anyone would watch his show if there wasn't a possibility of him getting eaten by a crocodile or some other creature? The risk factor is what made it interesting - hence why there is no "Flamingo Hunter" show. He knew the risks involved, and it was for the sake of entertainment (and for him, fame and fortune). While I agree that his death is sad and tragic, I still say that if you tempt fate too many times like he did it will eventually catch up with you.

As Shakey already said - cops, firemen, etc. take risks that are necessary and benefit others in a tangible way. That's why they are heroes. Crikey was just some reckless daredevil in the same vein as Evil Knievel, the Wallendas, and others putting their life at risk through their own volition and knowing the consequences.

And that's why I'm gonna joke about it all I want. 

It's definitely a free country, let's not take that away from ya........  Mr. Irwin did alot to benefit the wildlife conservation organization and make people aware of such issues... There was more to him than just his show;

"Irwin's exuberant approach to nature conservation and the environment also won him a global following, and he and his wife -- whom he met when she was a visitor at the Australia Zoo, the wildlife park founded by his parents -- became well-known figures on international television."

People talk about him being a daredevil and taking risks... Sure, he was.. But that part of the interaction with wildlife isn't what killed him, it was a freak accident by an otherwise passive creature (albeit, any wildlife has it's inherit dangers).. This would be akin to being killed by a dog...

At any rate, I'm sure he touched the lives of many many people and gave young people the spirit and drive to do something worthy that most people wouldn't think of as being "cool"......

So,, Mojo, go ahead and make light of a tragic situation to a very good man; a man that has touched many lives and left an impression obviously on all those that knew him or came in contact with him.........  Again, it's a free country...  for better and/or worse.........

Troy

[MOPARHOUND!]

I thought he was a good entertaining guy, with a ton of enthusiasm for what he was doing in life.  Great thing about him was he was real and genuine, growing up in Australia around animals like he did.  Sad to see him go.

I saw him in a Subway commercial the other day, he was a paid endorser.  Found some of his commercials on a website, click link below to view:

http://www.canadianamerican.com/crikey/

Think I'll have me a Buffalo Chicken foot long in his memory.

[Chargen69]

If one wants to go to Iraq to fight in a war, into outer space or even become a police officer or fire fighter - good!  The world needs more people like that becasue it makes the world a better place to live in.

By tangling with wild animals that could kill you - well, great entertainment I'd agree, but still kinda selfish in my eyes as far as being a Father to two young Children.  Is the world a better place because of that TV show?    Some would say yes, wheras I'd say not really.  By operating a zoo for the world to learn and understand more about the animals we share the planet with, good stuff.  I still say he should have passed the torch to someone else once the Children arrived on the scene.  That's just me.

Uh, we've lost more than a couple thousand guys/girls in Irag.  Fox news said this morning that he was the 2nd person in Austraila to be killed by a sting ray, and only like the 18th person in the world in known history.  What killed him wasnt considered dangerous at all.

[70kracken]

i've been reading what everyone has to say, and very good arguments from both sides!  my question, everyone is saying how dangerous his job and passion was, but has anyone cared to think that it wasn't dangerous in his eyes, it was his life to do what he wanted.  i don't think that makes a man selfish at all.  now if he was a bank robber with two kids, that's a different story.  the guy devoted his life in caring for, protecting and saving animals from the "selfish" people in this world and just happend to eduacate all of us at the same time.  good for him.  i think its terrible that he got killed.  i really liked him.  i think what he was doing makes more sense than fighting some war in iraq, but everyone excepts a servicemans duty for some reason.  I don't even know why we are in iraq anymore!  We are fighting for reasons that another man dictates, and a man that volunteers to fight that war for him dies and becomes a hero!  Steve Irwin dies protecting and learning about a pure world and he's a idiot!  i don't get it

[dodge freak]

Well said.

[Kern Dog]

Nice guy. A bit annoying but maybe that was played up for TV.

[Lennard]

Nice guy. A bit annoying but maybe that was played up for TV.

You are annoying for digging up 10 year old irrelevant threads.

[polywideblock]

especially a guy that "stressed out " every animal he touched , so that the public could see it react   ,good riddance 

[JB400]

For a moment, I thought this was brought up again because Bindi won DWTS.

[Kern Dog]

I have no idea of what that it. I have male genitalia in perfect working order so I do not watch any dancing shows on TV.

[stripedelete]

Is Bindi the one he hung out over the gator?

[Chargen69]

Nice guy. A bit annoying but maybe that was played up for TV.

You are annoying for digging up 10 year old irrelevant threads.

[Chargen69]

Is Bindi the one he hung out over the gator?

pretty sure that was his son