Death Of An Aussie Icon
STEVE IRWIN
1962 - 2006
As you have all probably heard on your own news programs, Steve Irwin ... The Crocodile Hunter ... tragically died yesterday (Monday 4th September 2006) by a freak attack from a stingray. He was diving off the coast of Port Douglas, in Far North Queensland, filming for a new TV show.
I was horrified when I heard, and couldn't quite believe it. He is such a lovable fun-loving Aussie bloke, who was so dedicated to conservation and the environment. From all reports, what you saw on TV was what he actually was like ... no airs and graces for this bloke.
Steve and his American born wife Terri have two young children ... it's going to be hard for them to accept their dad is gone, and for them to get on with things. My sincere sympathy goes out to all the Irwin family.
It's hard to believe that a bloke who wrestles with crocodiles, deadly snakes, and all manner of deadly animals, was killed by a freak encounter with a stingray. There are only a handful of deaths from stingrays on record ... why him ??? I guess we can be grateful that he went doing something he loved. But he will certainly be hugely missed.
I hope that all he has been working on and towards isn't put by the wayside, and is continued by his family and friends and colleagues. He was a remarkable man.
Thank you, Steve, for all the fun you have put into our lives with your amazing TV programs, and your fantastic Australia Zoo, and for allowing us all to be a part of your world. You sure have put Australia on the map, and for that we should all be forever grateful.
Rest In Peace
CONNIE (MEOW)
37 comments:
It's so very sad, isn't it? I was so shocked when I heard yesterday, that I just couldn't comprehend it. I thought it was a joke at first. Had to be. Sadly, it wasn't. I like your tribute. He'll really be missed.
He was a great man and really a good educator. He will be missed.
Absolutely. It's ironic that the documentary they were working on was about the seas deadliest creatures, although as you say, deaths from stingrays are very rare.
Let us all hope that the good work he started will continue.
Hi Meow, there are tributes to Steve all over Blogland today, he was a remarkable man much loved and will be much missed.
Re Merle's site go to Merle's NEW SITE via my sidebar and then save it to bookmarks/favorites.
He did great things for the animals and he will be greatly missed.
But like you wrote, he did die doing something he loved, we should take comfort in that.
I like most was shocked and saddened by this news , I enjoyed his show very much but I enjoyed him as a entertainer and his wonderful personality was outstanding . He made the world aware of endangered animals and was a real educator .This was a freak accident , such a sad thing .
G
What can I say that hasn't been said around the world.
So tragic, so young, so sad. My heart goes out to his fsmily.
I share your shock ... I put something up on my blog too ...
My only response was: "Crikey!!"
A HUGE loss to Australia and all of us ..
Meow, you just read my post so you know how I feel. My girls learned so much from his programs and his enthusiasm was contagious even (as I said) when I was shuddering.
Really it was so shocking. I have always watched his Crocodile hunts at the Animal Planet always shown in our cable. He was so hyper active when it comes to dealing with these reptiles. It is sad to see such a person go.
Thanks for stopping by.
Girl About Town ... so terribly sad.
Dick ... he was a great educator, and an amazing man.
Alice ... very ironic. Although stingrays are not usually classed in that category.
Peter ... thanks for the info on Merle ... that blog won't let me post, either, though.
Stinkypaw ... thank you.
Greeneyes ... it is just so sad that someone with so much to give is now gone ... unbelievable.
Heidi ... thank you.
Rev. Shawn ... I read what you wrote ... lovely. A huge loss.
Tab ... thanks. I agree, we should all live for today, as we never know what could happen tomorrow.
Granny ... thank you.
Fridays Child ... he produced some wonderful wild-life programs. A bit off base compared to the norm, but simply amazing.
Thank you, friends. It seems we all share the same feelings for an amazing character.
Take care, Meow
Poor Steve.
Buffy ... thanks for dropping by.
Debs ... kids are pretty intuitive, I can imagine how they were feeling. My 12 year old is just gob-smacked, and very very sad.
Thanks, friends, take care, Meow
Someone very close to me was stung by a stingray barb 5 years ago, on the ankle. 5 shots of morphine, a leg i a bucket of boiling water for hours on end and 8 hrs later.....the pain was still there. He had 3 months on and off work because his shoes would rub on the wound of his ankle, today 5 years on, his ankle is warped.
All because he and a mate wanted to go fishing.........a complete accident.
OMG Michelle, that's awful. I'd never heard of anyone being attacked by one before. I guess we should all be pretty wary of the critters. I had no idea. Thanks for sharing.
Take care, Meow
yes, i was so stunned and saddened, i loved that crazy old CrocMan...i will miss him very much!
May he rest in peace. He was one of my favorite programs on discovery channel.
P.S. I'm sending you a Topsail Island postcard--but it will have a Florida postmark, since I didn't have time to mail it from Topsail Island. Hope that's okay.
It's so sad. He is really going to be missed.
saw this in our paper here in California. What a loss. I feel for his family---sounds like there are many who will miss him...
Hope you had a great weekend.
Dragonflyfilly ... yes, I loved him, too. It is very sad.
Angel ... thank you. I am looking forward to the postcard, thanks so much. I must get some more out soon.
3catsmeow4me ... yes, he will be.
Jay Are ... thank you. He was certainly a favorite.
Take care, Meow
Firstly thanks for your visit.
I like everybody else could'nt believe my ears when i heard that steve had been killed,we were Jan's daughter's her response was did a croc get.
sadly missed by many
Gwen ... thanks. I too would've thought straight away that a croc would've got him. But no, just an aggro stingray. What a bizarre tragedy.
Take care, Meow
I could not agree more. Steve Irwin was a GREAT person. We saw his Australia Zoo when we were down-under last summer. It was the CLEANEST Zoo I have ever seen. ~ jb///
Hello Meow ~ We are all sad for Steve
and his family and it was such a shock
Everywhere I visit today has mentioned him. As well as on TV on all channels'
Thank you so much for your emails and comments. It is nice to be back in touch with so many friends.
So sad indeed. He as a man who showed his love and passion in all he did. I enjoyed watching his antics with my son and we both were stunned by the news! I do wish his family the best and hope they will continue his good works!
Crikey....very sad..my kids loved that man, espeailly my daughter..
he was a great educator and full of life..
i always told my 6 year old "yhis bloke needs some ritlin"...he was amazing indeed..God bless him and his family.
I am so sad about Steve Irwin's death. I loved his enthusiasm and terrific smile. He will be missed by many around the world.
His job was dangerous, and his death shows that even a skilled professional can't control the nature of wild creatures. His legacy will live on, and I'm thankful for the many times I've watched his shows and enjoyed learning about animals. He brought the danger and beauty of some amazing animals right into our home through the TV screen.
The world has lost a wonderful man.
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A couple of posts back you asked about what I meant when I said we were building "houses." My parents are having a house built just down the street from ours, so that is why I said houses. :-)
I hope you have a good week.
Please be assured that the world is mourning right along with all of Australia.
I was shocked when my son Corey told me the news of his death...I didn't want to believe him until I turned on the tv and saw the reports about it! I loved watching Crocodile Hunter and was always amazed at the fearlessness he had with these dangerous animals. My heart goes out to his family, friends and fans.
Connie ... thank you.
LZ Blogger ... thanks. I agree, we thought it was the cleanest zoo we'd ever been to, too. It is a fantastic place.
Merle ... thanks. Glad you're back with us. Hope you can sort out your old blog, too !!
Fruitfulspirit ... thank you. I hope it all continues, too.
Bossy BRitches ... thanks. It's funny, with all his crazy antics, and dangerous stunts, and stuff, he was a very endearing bloke. He will be missed.
Jamie ... thanks. It's always interesting building new houses. Hope it is all going well.
Daybyday ... thank you.
Jon Cox ... thank you. And you are welcome.
Pea ... thank you. My heart goes out to his family ... immediate and extended. It must be very difficult for them.
Thank you everyone. Have a great week. Take care, Meow
it is sad and devistating news. and i agree that its a freak incident for him to go to the pearly gates from a sting ray.
my heart goes out to his family.
Any death is a loss to humankind. The death of Steve Irwin is particularly tragic because of what he shared with the world.
Well what can i say Gwen Said it all we were at my daughtrs having a cuppa when the news flash come on I couldnt believe it ,just Unbelieveable
My heart goes out to his famly . R.I.P Steve Irwin
Ange, Jeanette, Nick ... thank you. I really don't know what to say about it all. I am gobsmacked, still can't get over the fact he's gone.
Take care, Meow
What a great shock indeed, Steve Irwin touched so many lives on so many different levels. I have just watched a current affair program that aired the views of an ex-pat Australian. Germaine Greer.Thank God she does not breath Aussie air but lives in England. One should not be surprised at her crass comments, she has never respected herself, how could she therefore have respect for anyone else. She will never receive the love and respect that Steve attracted.
I remember the first time I watched his program - I was on the one hand fascinated and on the other I laughed and laughed - he was sooo funny!!
I have always loved watching animal shows, but he made them even more fun to watch. You never knew what he'd do next!
:)
Gidday Meow, thanks for your comments on Steve Irwin on my blog. I have never been so upset at the passing of another person (other than my mother).
He was certainly a one off person and I hope Bindi and/or Bob carry on his tradition with Terri.
'Tis Wazza here. I have to sign in as anonymous so that you can still use this as a link to my blog. Take care and hava good day.
Margaret ... thanks. I am so p**sed off about what Germaine Greer is saying ... who does she think she is. She doesn't even live here ... what a cow.
Nerdine ... thank you. He was a wonderful man.
Wazza ... thanks. I hope the family continue with all that he was doing ... it would be such a waste if the didn't.
Take care, Meow
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