Irwin death footage 'shocking'

Herald Sun ^ | 5 September 2006 | Dave Donaghy

[mware]

I cried about Michael Landon too.

[DCPatriot]

I understand the toxin is very hard on human tissue and that rapid decay commences.

[rogue yam]

Sorry but this is BIG Down here...

No worries, mate. It's big here too. People just liked the guy. May he rest in peace.

[moonpie57]

The one thing I think Steve Irwin would say, if he could, is that he went doing what he loved. The world will sure miss him.

[small voice in the wilderness]

The only US person I can think of who comes close to this tragedy is the death of Dale Earnhart. He died doing exactly what he loved, and it was a freak accident that wouldn't seem deadly. It shocked NASCAR fans and racing, to this day, isn't the same. I do remember feeling the same shock, sadness, and respect for his family that aspects of his accident remain personal.

[RichInOC]

I grant it's kind of a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation.

[isthisnickcool]

It's big here too. We had a chat with our little one this afternoon and told them that Irwin had been killed because we know that this will be a topic in school tomorrow. This is one of the sad things about Irwins death, how all the kids will take it.

May the Lord bless Irwin's soul, his friends and family. And Australia.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I am trying to think of a similar icon that could be lost here in the US, and I can't think of one.

I'd say it is kinda like if Will Rogers, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, or Lucille Ball had been killed in their prime while filming a simple stunt or not wearing a seatbelt. Irwin was a goodwill ambassador.

[A CA Guy]

It's big here in the states as well. We are shocked and most everyone really enjoyed the guy.

I hope some idiot doesn't get the film into the Internet or on air. That IMO would be so disrespectful.

[uglybiker]

Marlin Perkins is watching us from the safety of that big helicopter in the sky. ;-)

[Moonmad27]

I keep thinking of all the parents who are having to explain his death to their children right about now. That's a difficult conversation if it's a really young kid!

[HairOfTheDog]

A close friend on FoxNews who was there, granted one who has not seen the tape, disputed the claim that Steve pulled the barb out... said it was rubbish and said he was a little offended that the interviewer would ask a question based on such a rumor.

That part may be a media creation.

[demecleze]

It also carries venom, so if he left it in it would have been pumped throughout his body from his heart. Catch-22.

It is ironic that he was killed by a relatively harmless/unaggressive creature. Very few die from their stings, just bad luck. I knew he would never get killed by a crock.

We would never have the information we have about dangerous animals if people like him did not interact with them as he did.

He asked us to look to the natural world in a balanced way; he wasn't a tree hugger or hippie. He knew that in our modern society we have lost touch with nature; he sought to mend those bonds. I think the outpouring of emotion from people reflect the success of his efforts.

He was an explorer; a man who pushed the boundaries of our knowledge. I think he knew the risks, like any good explorer: he took responsibility for them.

RIP Steve.

[Southack]

Our deepest sympathies for your loss.

[Shermy]

"Sorry but this is BIG Down here..."

Sorry? It's big everywhere.

[LeoWindhorse]

Kevlar wet suits

[proudofthesouth]

No apologies necessary. I've been sad all day since I heard the news early this morning. If I could choose one person's life to live instead of mine, his is the one I would have choosen.

[12th_Monkey]

My kids enjoyed watching and learning from him. In a bad world, it's a shame when good people die. Condolences to the family.

[ffusco]

No worries. Steve was a favorite in our home in Houston.

[Palladin]

I'm sure it will be on You-Tube no later than tomorrow.

I won't watch it.

Poor fellow. But animals will be animals, and their instinct for self-defense is as great as ours.