bertram31.com

BRISBANE, Australia (September 4, 2006) -- Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef.

While this has nothing to do with anything here, I felt compelled to post it anyway... I doubt that anybody with access to a TV set hasn't seen Steve at least once & knows how much of a wild man he was.

But beyond his hijinx tackleing crocs and snakes, he was above all a great conservationist without being a political fanatic.

His shows have been a great source of intertainment, education, and escape from reality for me for years.

Gonna' miss that boy!


Steve Irwin

10" barb thru the heart is a tough way to go.
Especially when you pull it out afterwards.

The guy sure had a big pair of brass ones.

Live life like its your last day, cause it might be.

CRIKEY!

I still haven't figured out how he managed to have that happen to him.

Swam over top of a buried Ray.
When he did the tail came up and the barb went under the rib cage into his heart.
He pulled it out and collapsed dead.

Freak accident. Don't know if the Ray felt cornered.

Maybe they will release the video tape.

One account that I read said that they were in shallow water swimming with the ray, the camera man was shooting right in front of the ray & Steve swam over the top of the ray. Those close quarters apparently triggered a defensive strike from the ray.

Steve had had many a close call in the past, but always on dry land where his lightning reflexes helped save his life. Ya' just don't have much traction swimming in the water.

He was luckier than 98% of the rest of the population in that he lived his brief life doing what made him happy, all the while sharring with others & without corruption or agendas.

As the saying goes, "The Good Die Young"...

Yeah, I am going to miss some of his antics.

I feel for his wife and two young kids, and fortunately his shows will remind us of some of his classic sayings and reactions!

"Gosh, look at the size of that bloke!"

or the ever famous "Krikey!!!!"

I feel the same way you do Pat. Too damned bad and a freak accident.

D

I heard on the news this morning that Steve's father was going to destroy the video when the coroner was done with it. I do not blame him. Question is did anyone make a copy and how long utill they put it on the internet. Nothing surprises me anymore. Kevin

If there is a single copy outside his father's control you can bet it will be on the internet sooner or later. I have seen gunshot and knife murders, beatings, and almost anything else you can imagine on the internet.

While I often thought he was a flake (ie: holding his baby in front of a hungry gator) I very much respect his work toward conservation. He was a great character who represented his country well.. he was right in your face.. honest... warts and all. And he died doing what he loved to do. We should all be so fortunate.

Funny how when you see his programs you forget what a draconian country he really comes from.
To bad too as it was once a country of great adventure.
Since 96', Australia has been gelded.

Depending on how this year's elections go.. the US could be "gelded" soon also!