Posted on 09/07/2006 6:32:17 PM PDT by mom4kittys
Sept. 7, 2006 — "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, killed in a stingray attack this week, knew the risks involved in his work and often discussed the possibility he might die doing it, his father said Wednesday.
The 44-year-old star was being filmed for a new TV program as he swam with a stingray on the Great Barrier Reef Monday when it lashed out with its tail, plunging a poisonous barb into his chest. He died within minutes.
In the first public comments by Irwin's family since the tragedy, the elder Irwin, who started the wildlife park that his son turned into a major tourist attraction, said Wednesday both were aware of the inherent dangers of their occupation.
"Both of us over the years have had some very close shaves and we both approached it the same way, we made jokes about it," he said. "That's not to say we were careless. But we treated it as part of the job. Nothing to worry about really."
Thousands of fans have flocked to Irwin's Australia Zoo wildlife park in Queensland state, creating a shrine of flowers, candles and written tributes. Stuffed animals poke out from between flags of Australia, the United States and England, and some visitors signed and left khaki shirts similar to those worn by Irwin in lieu of a condolences book.
Bob Irwin, 66, thanked fans for their messages of support and reassured them his son had died doing what he loved.
A private funeral will be held at an undisclosed location within seven days, and a public memorial service will be held within two weeks, Bob Irwin said Thursday.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie had offered a state funeral, and Prime Minister John Howard said that would be appropriate, calling Irwin a great ambassador for Australia. But Bob Irwin said Wednesday it wouldn't be what Steve wanted.
"He's an ordinary guy, and he wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke," he said.
Michael Hornby, the head of one of Irwin's wildlife charities, Wildlife Warriors, said the star's wife, Terri Irwin, was thinking about having a small, private ceremony at an Outback location and approving a separate large event at a stadium in the state capital, Brisbane.
Hornby also urged people to be careful in sending donations to Irwin's charities as a tribute, saying two or three bogus Web sites had been set up attempting to divert some of the money.
Separately, Irwin's manager and close friend John Stainton said the videotape showing him being fatally stabbed should never be publicly aired.
"It should be destroyed," Stainton told CNN's "Larry King Live." He said he has seen the footage and it shows Irwin pulling the barb from his chest in his last moments.
The tape is in the possession of police as evidence for the coroner.
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I'm guessing that they knew that wasn't his "style" i am grateful that they are planning a public memorial. i want to stay informed because I hope it will be televised. I want to "be" there.
My heart sank a little when I heard this morning it might be at a stadium in Brisbane. I suppose that's necessary for all the thousands of mourners, but I wish it could be at the Zoo, somehow. Just wishful thinking.
I hadn't heard that--would you please keep me posted on any new news?
Wouldn't an Outback location run the risk of accidentally being dug up or found? Or is that where they have cemetaries?
That might be a good question for Aussie Dasher
Certainly, there are cemeteries in the outback.
It's all just so sad. :(
Had you also heard that the public memorial might be in a stadium in Brissie?
Thanks for the info regarding the Outback.
I also hope he can be buried at his "beloved" zoo.
Yes, that was widely speculated on earlier in the week.
I've never been to Australia Zoo but if there is space there, I would have thought it ideal.
Too bad they don't have an island, like Di's, but surrounded by a moat full of crocs!
It may well be he ends up being buried in croc country...
For all we know, they could be spreading ashes in the outback, someplace that seems particularly special to them... would seem appropriate to me. The Irwins own big tracts of conservation land I'm told.
That would be so awesome. He protected the crocs and now they could protect him.
There certainly wouldn't be anyone else who could get past the crocs - and they surely would protect him in death.
GMPA!
That's probably what it'll be then.
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