Crocodile hunter's fatal dive
STEVE Irwin -- the exuberant Crocodile Hunter and passionate conservationist -- died after a freak stingray attack while he was diving off Port Douglas yesterday.
The international star was killed when a stingray barb pierced his heart as he filmed a new documentary called Ocean's Deadliest on shallow reefs in north Queensland.
Tragically, his beloved wife and co-star Terri was hiking in Tasmania's wilderness and could not be told the devastating news until late yesterday. The couple have two young children, daughter Bindi Sue, 8, and son Bob, 2.
Friend and film producer John Stainton said Irwin had been swimming over the top of a giant bull ray in just 2m of water when it lashed out, driving a barb into his heart.
The star's film crew hauled Irwin on to his boat, Croc One, and made a futile attempt to revive him just after 11am yesterday.
A witness said the stingray had slashed through the 44-year-old's ribs and left a gaping hand-size wound near his heart.
Paramedics from Queensland Helicopter Rescue tried to revive him on the shores of the Low Isles, 15km northeast of Cairns, but he is believed to have died from a heart attack caused by severe blood loss.
"It became clear fairly soon he had non-survivable injuries," said Dr Ed O'Loughlin, who was aboard the rescue helicopter.
In a Father's Day tribute published in the September issue of marie claire magazine, Irwin's daughter Bindi had paid tribute to her dad.
"I love that he's funny, he's entertaining and he's always there when I need him most," she said.
Speaking of his daughter, Irwin said she had inherited his love of animals.
He recalled catching crocodiles on the Cape York Peninsula when Bindi "finds me hanging off this crocodile and says, 'excuse me, Daddy, when you're finished here could you please come back to camp and play with Barbie"?
"When I'd finished with the croc, I went back to camp and played with Barbie dolls."
A public outpouring of grief followed news of his death.
"I really do feel Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son," Prime Minister John Howard said.
The news of Irwin's death blazed around the world, especially in the US, where he had found fame and fortune.
Melbourne-born Irwin -- known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter -- was famous for his enthusiasm and catchcry "Crikey!".
His Crocodile Hunter program was first broadcast in 1992 and has been shown around the world on cable network Discovery.
