Hearts were heavy around the world yesterday as the news that Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, passed away at the age of 44. His enthusiasm for animals translated into wildly popular shows on the Discovery Channel in which he became a hero to children everywhere. An expert at dealing with land animals like snakes and crocodiles, Irwin told his manager that the sea and its inhabitants posed the biggest threat to his safety. As he filmed a segment on Australia's Great Barrier Reef yesterday, a stingray swimming below him raised its tail and pierced his heart, killing him within one minute. This type of death is extremely rare and experts believe the stingray may have felt trapped between Irwin and the cameraman. Irwin leaves behind his wife and their two young children. September 5, 2006
Rest In Peace Crocodile Hunter
Hearts were heavy around the world yesterday as the news that Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, passed away at the age of 44. His enthusiasm for animals translated into wildly popular shows on the Discovery Channel in which he became a hero to children everywhere. An expert at dealing with land animals like snakes and crocodiles, Irwin told his manager that the sea and its inhabitants posed the biggest threat to his safety. As he filmed a segment on Australia's Great Barrier Reef yesterday, a stingray swimming below him raised its tail and pierced his heart, killing him within one minute. This type of death is extremely rare and experts believe the stingray may have felt trapped between Irwin and the cameraman. Irwin leaves behind his wife and their two young children. 
