MetaChat - Steve Irwin dead

MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.

03 September 2006

Steve Irwin dead Vale the crocodile hunter.
→[More:]
In case the link isn't working (all Aussie news sites and wires are getting hammered), try the ABC front page.

I was never a huge fan, but this is a real shock. I don't think he was engaging in any of usual TV stunts, just very unlucky.

post by: GeckoDundee at: 23:52 | 26 comments

Other links that seem to be working, if slow:

The Courier Mail
and
The Age.

posted by GeckoDundee 03 September | 23:56

Damn. I just did some googling...I had no idea the barbs were so big, or could penetrate so deeply. What a way to go. RIP.

I just read this story (a few pics - click on them) of a stingray stabbing (it's a site that sells stingray guards, so read with a grain of salt water), and here's a good photo of a barb.

posted by iconomy 04 September | 00:03

Police say he was stung through the heart by a stingray while diving off Port Douglas.

Crikey. I hope someone seeks revenge and kills that stingray. Preferably with dynamite.

posted by ColdChef 04 September | 00:08

We were just talking about this at work. What a bizarre way to die, especially for someone who spent his working days playing with crocodiles. Also, according to news.com.au, his wife is out of touch and doesn't know.

posted by dg 04 September | 00:13

Stung through the heart! Shit!

posted by viachicago 04 September | 00:13

I would guess that you're joking, ColdChef. Steve certainly wouldn't have wanted anyone to hurt the ray, and I'm sure his family won't either.

Mostly likely, it was indeed a freak accident. The possibility that he was provoking it in some way can't of course, given his previous antics, be entirely ruled out.

posted by GeckoDundee 04 September | 00:23

posted by sveskemus 04 September | 00:37

Stung through the heart! Shit!

You gave rays a bad name!

posted by pieisexactlythree 04 September | 00:38

Dammit, ColdChef already made the comment.

posted by fluffy battle kitten 04 September | 01:58

*Slaps head*
Bill Murray's character in The Life Aquatic, right? Sorry, ColdChef, I'm obviously still in shock. (Or good old fashioned stupid). Thanks for the heads-up, fluffy battle kitten.

posted by GeckoDundee 04 September | 03:29

Pie: I love sting rays!

posted by viachicago 04 September | 03:46

netcraft confirms it: Steve Irwin, dead at 44.

I just heard some sad news on talk radio - naturalist and television star Steve Irwin was found dead in his Queenland home this morning. There were not any more details. I'm sure everyone in the Metafilter community will miss him - even if you did not enjoy his work, there is no denying his contributions to popular culture. Truly an Australian icon.

posted by Wedge 04 September | 03:49

News reports here say that stingrays are unlikely to attack humans unless provoked or threatened. I would lay money on it that he was poking it or something.

As he was making a documentary, presumably there will be film available to assist the coroner.

posted by essexjan 04 September | 04:58

damn! i liked him!

posted by ramix 04 September | 05:56

This can't be right.

.

posted by bunnyfire 04 September | 06:25

posted by safetyfork 04 September | 07:25

And damn, posted at MeFi just before the Steve Irwin news: the deadly Blue Ringed Octopus. You Aussies be careful out there, 'kay?

posted by taz 04 September | 08:28

I have a lot of respect for Steve Irwin, and I'm sad to see him go. But
"stung through the heart by a fuckin' stingray" has to be at at the top of the List of Badass Ways To Go.

posted by cmonkey 04 September | 09:31

Bill Murray's character in The Life Aquatic, right?

*taps nose*

- Esteban was bitten?
- Eaten!
- Is he dead?
- Esteban was eaten!
- He was swallowed whole?
- No! Chewed!

posted by ColdChef 04 September | 09:55

posted by sisterhavana 04 September | 12:16

New York Times.

He was a crazy, beautiful bastard, and I have a lot of respect and love for him. My heart goes out to his family.

posted by matildaben 04 September | 12:50

Goodbye Steve, you were (are) awesome.

posted by flopsy 04 September | 14:25

Poor guy, I hope it was quick. He was quirky, entertaining, and fun to watch. They must be laughing up in Heaven now.

posted by redvixen 04 September | 16:10

I used to think he was annoying as hell. Which of course was part of his schtick.

It's probably the way he'd have "wanted" to die, doing stuff with animals, and it's such a freak way to happen that it can't have been something he "deserved" in the sense that if he'd been eaten by a croc.

The bit about doing it so his 8-year-old daughter could have her own TV show, though ... I dunno. Karma's a bitch.

posted by stilicho 04 September | 16:36

I'm bummed. I wasn't a huge fan, but he gave a genuine damn about life besides humans on this rock. That really sucks.

posted by chewatadistance 04 September | 18:16

I heard this morning that he had swum over the stingray, that the film crew kept on filming as he died and was pulled out of the water (according to his own wishes!), and that this tape is now in the hands of the Australian police. How long till it's on the nightly news?

I have great respect for Steve Irwin, as a conservationist and nature-lover.

posted by muddgirl 05 September | 10:26

← The internets are boring me! || this weekend sucks →

HOME || REGISTER || LOGIN