Posted on 09/26/2006 3:54:49 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Footage of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's death will never be shown on television, his wife said in her first interview since the exuberant naturalist was killed by the serrated barb of a stingray's tail.
Asked in an interview with the ABC News program "20/20" whether the footage of Irwin's September 4 death would ever be aired on television, Terri Irwin was blunt and emphatic.
"It won't be. No. No. What purpose would that serve,' she said, adding that she had not looked at the footage of her husband's death.
That footage shows Irwin swimming above a stingray, while filming a documentary off Australia's northeast coast, when it lashed out and speared him in the heart with its barbed tail, according to Irwin's manager, John Stainton, who said Irwin pulled the barb from his chest before losing consciousness.
U.S.-born Terri Irwin said her 44-year-old husband knew he would not live a long life.
"He'd talk about it often. But it wasn't because of any danger from wildlife. That was never a consideration. He just felt life could be dangerous," she said in the interview, to be broadcast in the United States on Wednesday evening.
Irwin's family and friends held a private funeral at his beloved Australia Zoo -- where he was also buried. A public televised memorial service was held at the zoo's "Crocoseum" last Wednesday.
His 46 "Crocodile Hunter" documentaries were watched by 200 million people around the world and his death prompted an international outpouring of grief.
His wife told of how she had been traveling in a remote part of southern Australia doing research with the couple's children, Bindi Sue, 8, and 2-year-old Robert Clarence when she was told about Irwin's death.
"It was an accident so stupid. It was like running with a pencil. It was not risk he was taking," she said. "It was just an accident. And I couldn't fall to pieces because the children were there."
Known for his trademark khaki shorts and shirts and catchphrase "Crikey," Irwin grew up around wild animals, trapping crocodiles and releasing them in his parent's reptile park, which would later become Australia Zoo.
"I have to make sure the zoo keeps running. He planned all of that masterfully. He planned this wonderful business so that it could continue if anything happened to him," Terri Irwin said.
She said she is surviving "one minute at a time" and that what she would miss most about him was that he was fun.
"Now I'm going to work really hard at having fun again ... I'm Mrs. Steve Irwin. I've got a lot to live up to," she said.
My heart goes out to her, but she was married to her soulmate. I am sure that she treasures every minute they had together.
I wish her and her children well.
Yes, God Bless her and her beautiful children.
I was often told "there is no such thing as a stupid question". The folks who told me that were wrong...... There are some things you just don't ask a grieving wife and mother.
Ping!
One classy lady; with all of the activity it is now quieting down and may hit her. Children to care for must be a help.
Good move and the most respectful thing to do.
I've long envied the marriage that she and Steve had.
I'm glad that Steve Irwin's widow has given the middle finger to the media crack whores.I hope she sticks to her guns on the decision !!!
I hope that video is destroyed already or it's going to find it's way onto the internet...
GOOD! Only the ghouls and morbidly curious will be unhappy with this news.
If Terri doesn't want it seen, I hope it has been destroyed as Stone Mountain says in the previous post--it will show up on the internet. It wouldn't come from Steve's crew, but the police had it in their custody for a while. No telling how secure it was there.
Did I miss solmething? I thought this wasn't airing until tomorrow night. By the way; will it air more than once if it is on tomorrow night? I found out that I have to be at a training tomorrow evening.
She needs to destroy it ASAP.
I am assuming these were were promo clips possibly used for GMA. It is coming on tomorrow night.
I think all TV interviews of this nature are advanced in part to the press so TV viewers will be tuning in.
She needs to be there and watch them do it. All it takes is one Jacka$$ to slip a copy on YouTube and it's all over.
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