On 4 September 2006, Australian zookeeper, conservationist, and television personality
Steve Irwin
Stephen Robert Irwin (22 February 19624 September 2006), known as "The Crocodile Hunter", was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, television personality, wildlife educator, and environmentalist.
Irwin grew up around crocodiles and ot ...
died after being pierced in the
heart
The heart is a muscular organ in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide t ...
by a
stingray
Stingrays are a group of sea rays, which are cartilaginous fish related to sharks. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes and consist of eight families: Hexatrygonidae (sixgill stingray), Plesiobatidae ( ...
barb while filming in the
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over over an area of approximately . The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, ...
. The stinger penetrated his
heart
The heart is a muscular organ in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide t ...
, causing massive trauma. He was at
Batt Reef
Batt Reef is a coral reef off Port Douglas in Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia.
Geography
Batt Reef is centred at and is part of the Great Barrier Reef.
The reef is about 18 km long by 5 km (11 miles by 3 miles) wide, lying ...
, near
Port Douglas, Queensland
Port Douglas is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia, approximately 60 km north of Cairns. In the , Port Douglas had a population of 3,504 people. The town's population can often double, however, with the in ...
, taking part in the production of the documentary ''
Ocean's Deadliest
''Ocean's Deadliest'' is a nature documentary hosted by Philippe Cousteau Jr. and Steve Irwin. It is the final documentary made by Irwin by the time of Death of Steve Irwin, his death, which occurred during filming.
Documentary
The documentary ...
''. During a lull in filming caused by inclement weather, Irwin decided to
snorkel in shallow waters while being filmed in an effort to provide footage for
his daughter Bindi's television program.
Irwin's death is the only fatality from a stingray captured on video, although it has not been released to the public, and is one of the few human deaths from stingrays.
Production was completed on ''Ocean's Deadliest'', which was broadcast in the United States on the
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel (known as The Discovery Channel from 1985 to 1995, and often referred to as simply Discovery) is an American cable channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav. , Discovery Channe ...
four months after Irwin's death. The documentary was completed with footage shot in the weeks following the accident, but without including any mention of Irwin's death, aside from a tribute to Irwin at the end.
Circumstances
While swimming in chest-deep water,
Steve Irwin
Stephen Robert Irwin (22 February 19624 September 2006), known as "The Crocodile Hunter", was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, television personality, wildlife educator, and environmentalist.
Irwin grew up around crocodiles and ot ...
approached a
short-tail stingray
The short-tail stingray or smooth stingray (''Bathytoshia brevicaudata'') is a common species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. It occurs off southern Africa, typically offshore at a depth of , and off southern Australia and New Zealand, fro ...
, with an approximate span of two meters (6.5 ft), from the rear, in order to film it swimming away. He initially believed he had only a punctured lung; however, the stingray's barb pierced his heart, causing him to bleed to death.
Crew members aboard Irwin's boat administered CPR and rushed him to the nearby Low Isles, where medical staff pronounced him dead.
Irwin's widow,
Terri
Terri is an alternative spelling of Terry. It is a common feminine given name and is also a diminutive for Teresa.
Notable people with the name include:
*Terri Allard (born 1962), American country/folk singer/songwriter
*Terri S. Armstrong, Amer ...
, stated in an interview with ''
Access Hollywood
''Access Hollywood'', formerly known as ''Access'' from 2017 to 2019, is an American weekday television entertainment news program that premiered on September 9, 1996. It covers events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created ...
'' aired on 11 January 2014 that the documentary contains no footage that was shot the day he died, and that the footage of his injury and death had been destroyed. Justin Lyons, a cameraman for the documentary, has said that although footage of the incident does exist, he is against its release.
Philippe Cousteau Jr.
Philippe-Pierre Jacques-Yves Arnault Cousteau Jr. (born January 20, 1980) is an American oceanographer and environmental activist, the son of Philippe Cousteau and the grandson of Jacques Cousteau. Cousteau has continued the work of his father a ...
filmed the remainder of the documentary weeks after Irwin's death.
Reactions
![Steve Irwin-041+ (235255713)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Steve_Irwin-041%2B_%28235255713%29.jpg)
News of Irwin's death prompted reactions around the world. Then–Australian Prime Minister
John Howard
John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian former politician who served as the 25th prime minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007, holding office as leader of the Liberal Party. His eleven-year tenure as prime minister is the s ...
expressed "shock and distress" at Irwin's death, saying that "Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son". Queensland's then-
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier.
A premier will normally be a head of governm ...
Peter Beattie
Peter Douglas Beattie (born 18 November 1952) is an Australian former politician who served as the 36th Premier of Queensland, in office from 1998 to 2007. He was the state leader of the Labor Party from 1996 to 2007.
Beattie was born in Sy ...
remarked that Irwin would "be remembered as not just a great Queenslander, but a great Australian".
The Australian federal parliament opened on 5 September 2006 with condolence speeches by both Howard and the
Leader of the Opposition
The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
,
Kim Beazley
Kim Christian Beazley (born 14 December 1948) is an Australian former politician and diplomat. He was leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and leader of the opposition from 1996 to 2001 and 2005 to 2006, having previously been a cabinet ...
. Flags at the Sydney Harbour Bridge were lowered to
half-mast
Half-mast or half-staff (American English) refers to a flag flying below the summit of a ship mast, a pole on land, or a pole on a building. In many countries this is seen as a symbol of respect, mourning, distress, or, in some cases, a salu ...
in honour of Irwin.
["Harbour Bridge flags lowered for icons"](_blank)
News Corporation
News Corporation (abbreviated News Corp.), also variously known as News Corporation Limited, was an American multinational mass media corporation controlled by media mogul Rupert Murdoch and headquartered at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in Ne ...
(news.com.au), 19 September 2006.
In the days following Irwin's death, reactions dominated Australian online news sources,
talk-back radio programs, and television networks.
["Yahoo7 TV Tribute to Steve Irwin"](_blank)
Seven Network
The Seven Network (commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is a major Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, and is one of ...
. In the United States, where Irwin had appeared in over 200 Discovery Network television programs, special tributes appeared on the Animal Planet channel, as well as on CNN and major TV talk shows.
['']The Sydney Morning Herald
''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper ...
'
"Aussie 'Superman' brings tears to US chat shows"
Thousands of fans visited Australia Zoo after his death, paying their respects and bringing flowers, candles, stuffed animals and messages of support.
Funeral and memorial services
![Australia zoo-Raffi Kojian-CIMG6415](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Australia_zoo-Raffi_Kojian-CIMG6415.JPG)
Family and friends of Irwin held a private funeral service in
Caloundra
Caloundra ( ) is a coastal town and the southernmost town in the Sunshine Coast Region in South East Queensland, Australia.
Geography
Caloundra is north of the Brisbane central business district. Caloundra is accessible from Landsborough ra ...
on 9 September 2006. Irwin was buried in a private ceremony at
Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is a zoo located in the Australian state of Queensland on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sunshine Coast near Beerwah, Queensland, Beerwah/Glass House Mountains National Park, Glass House Mountains. It is a member of the Zoo and A ...
later that same day; the grave site is inaccessible to the zoo's visitors.
Prime Minister Howard and Queensland Premier Beattie had offered to hold a
state funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of Etiquette, protocol, held to honour people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive ...
, but Irwin's family declined the offer; his father said that he would have preferred to be remembered as an "ordinary
bloke
''Bloke'' is a slang term for a common man in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The earliest known usage is from the early 19th century, when it was recorded as a London slang term. The word's origin is un ...
".
On 20 September, a public memorial service, introduced by
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe (born 7 April 1964) is an actor. He was born in New Zealand, spent ten years of his childhood in Australia, and moved there permanently at age twenty one. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maxi ...
, was held in Australia Zoo's 5,500-seat Crocoseum; this service was broadcast live throughout Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Asia, and it is estimated to have been seen by over 300 million viewers worldwide. The memorial included remarks by Prime Minister Howard; Irwin's father Bob and daughter Bindi; his associates
Wes Mannion
Wes or WES may refer to:
* Westmorland, county in England, Chapman code
__NOTOC__ People and fictional characters
* Wes (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the name
* Wes Madiko (1964–2021), Cameroonian musici ...
and
John Stainton
John Stainton is an Australian film and television producer and director. He was close friends with Australian naturalist Steve Irwin until his death in September 2006. Stainton also created Irwin's popular nature documentary television seri ...
; and celebrities from Australia and around the world (including
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Michael Jackman (born 12 October 1968) is an Australian actor. Beginning in theatre and television, he landed his breakthrough role as James "Logan" Howlett / Wolverine in the 20th Century Fox ''X-Men'' film series (2000–2017), a role ...
,
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz (born August 30, 1972) is an American actress. With a variety of works in film, she is widely recognised for her work in romantic comedies and animation. Diaz has received various accolades, including nominations for ...
,
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the world's best-selling music artists, with sales of over 88 million records. Timberlake is the recipient of numerous awards and ac ...
,
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American actor, producer, film director and musician. He has received various accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actor ...
,
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe (born 7 April 1964) is an actor. He was born in New Zealand, spent ten years of his childhood in Australia, and moved there permanently at age twenty one. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maxi ...
,
David Wenham
David Wenham (born 21 September 1965) is an Australian actor who has appeared in film, television and theatre. He is known for his roles as Faramir in ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy, Friar Carl in ''Van Helsing'', Dilios in ''300'' and ...
,
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa (; born October 2, 1970) is an American actress and talk show host. Since 2001, she has been the co-host of the syndicated morning talk show '' Live! with Kelly and Ryan'' in various formats.
As an actress, Ripa's best known roles ...
and
Larry King
Larry King (born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger; November 19, 1933 – January 23, 2021) was an American television and radio host, whose awards included 2 Peabodys
The George Foster Peabody Awards (or simply Peabody Awards or the Peabodys) program ...
).
Australian music star
John Williamson sang "
True Blue", which was Irwin's favourite song. In a symbolic finish to the service, Irwin's truck was loaded up with gear and driven out of the arena for the last time as Williamson sang. As a final tribute, Australia Zoo staff spelled out Irwin's catchphrase "Crikey" in yellow flowers as Irwin's truck was driven from the Crocoseum for the last time to end the service.
Stingray abuse
In the weeks following Irwin's death, at least ten stingrays were found dead and mutilated on the beaches of Queensland, with their tails cut off, prompting speculation as to whether they might have been killed by fans of Irwin as an act of revenge, although, according to the chairperson of the Queensland fishing information service, anglers regularly cut the tails off accidentally caught stingrays to avoid being stung.
Michael Hornby, a friend of Irwin and executive director of his Wildlife Warrior fund, condemned any revenge killings, saying that "We just want to make it very clear that we will not accept and not stand for anyone who's taken a form of retribution. That's the last thing Steve would want."
In an interview with Larry King,
Bindi stated that she loves stingrays and does not feel bitterness towards them.
References
{{Underwater diving, hisdiv
Irwin, Steve
Accidental deaths in Queensland
Deaths due to fish attacks
Filmed deaths of entertainers
Underwater diving deaths
2006 in Australia
Irwin, Steve
Great Barrier Reef
History of Queensland
Steve Irwin