Posted on 09/04/2006 6:50:04 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
FATALLY injured by a stingray, Steve Irwin pulled its barb out of his chest before losing consciousness, dramatic footage of his last moments reveals.
Friend John Stainton said the footage of the stingray attack which took the life of the Crocodile Hunter on the Great Barrier Reef yesterday was "shocking".
Mr Irwin, 44, died after the stingray barb punctured his chest while snorkelling off Port Douglas, in far north Queensland, yesterday.
A cameraman captured the incident during filming for Irwin's new project with daughter Bindi, eight, that was to debut in the United States next year.
"I did see the footage and it's shocking," Mr Stainton said today in Cairns.
"It's a very hard thing to watch because you're actually witnessing somebody die ... and it's terrible."
Mr Stainton, also a producer and director of Irwin's popular television shows, said the footage showed Mr Irwin pulling the barb out of his chest before losing consciousness.
"It shows that Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him here (in the chest), and he pulled it out and the next minute he's gone.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
I cried about Michael Landon too.
I understand the toxin is very hard on human tissue and that rapid decay commences.
No worries, mate. It's big here too. People just liked the guy. May he rest in peace.
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.
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.
I grant it's kind of a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation.
May the Lord bless Irwin's soul, his friends and family. And Australia.
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.
Marlin Perkins is watching us from the safety of that big helicopter in the sky. ;-)
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!
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.
Our deepest sympathies for your loss.
"Sorry but this is BIG Down here..."
Sorry? It's big everywhere.
Kevlar wet suits
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.
My kids enjoyed watching and learning from him. In a bad world, it's a shame when good people die. Condolences to the family.
No worries. Steve was a favorite in our home in Houston.
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.
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