I am so upset right now, I think he was a great Australian icon and a great guy. So laid back and a true Aussie. His poor kids.

We were just talking about this in another thread. We'd been poking fun earlier in the thread too, sigh. So tragic, so sad for his poor family. I heard on the news that his wife is in Cradle Mountain, and that it broke on the news before she'd been informed, I really hope that's not true. And I hope she's got her babies nearby, you'd hate to be separated at a time like this.

Oh Kel I agree with you I have been sitting here in shock since I found out those two precious kids and that terri found out after everybody else did

Kellie

ok ok ok....I don't get to watch much tv how did he die and when? What happened? Someone please tell me! Loved to watch him on TV when time permitted!

He was filming a doco near Port Douglas and he got stung by a stingray, apparently the stinger pierced his lung. That's all that's really been on the news, dont know if he actually placed himself in danger or whether it was just a freak event.

OH WOW! Thanks for the info. Either way if it was a freak accident or if he placed himself in danger its a terrible terrible loss for everyone involved specially his wife and little children.

Of course they've had news helicopters all over the area he apparently died in and its TEEMING with huge rays. Dont know that I'd get in there.

But danger was what he did, it was a necessary part of his job. He's educated a lot of people about animals that were feared, hated and maligned, he's done an awful lot for conservation.

We were planning on visiting the Australia zoo too next week, we're going for a holiday up in Byron Bay, and planned a big overnight trip up there. I wonder if it'll still be open?

What a shock - I hadn't heard the news, stuck at work all day. I feel bad for poking fun at him in another thread now.

How awful for his very young family.

Although not a great fan of the image he portrays, the kids and tourists loved him, and he was a great environmental ambassador of the people. he did more to communicate environmental messages to the masses than most politicians or other activists ever could - and as an environmetnal professional, I am appreciative of that.

I hope that the media circus focus on the positive things he achieved in his life, and less on the larrikin / yob Aussie image or controversial moments in his career.

Yes, I'm stunned too! I always enjoyed his work. I know he "irritated" some people, but I could tell he was passionate about his animals. He Enlightened a lot of folks on wildlife. He will be greatly missed. I wish the best for his family.

Terry

I have to admit, I feel badly too. He was corny and all but you have to respect someone who showed as much passion as he did. I honestly feel like I've learned stuff from him over the years. He was much too young but he made the most of his time here.

My dh and I were just reading about this on Yahoo news. How awful. It said it there that the barb pierced his heart. It mentioned that his wife had been informed and she had told the children, but it did not mention that she heard about it on the news. How awful! He did a lot for bringing awareness about animals and their protection to the public, and in a very entertaining way. When my kids were younger, we never missed his show when it aired on Sunday nights.

Steve will always be remembered for his love of life and love of animals.

Of course, with his death, they had to show the time he held his baby over the crocks head, what's the point? More important, now that 2yr old is without a daddy. How tragic and sad.

I am shocked, just read that and ran to tell my hubby. It said that it is very rare for a stingray to cause a death, but it put a hole in his heart as well as his lung...

Wow, such a great loss.

The thing with Steve was what you seen is what you got. The man you seen on TV is how he was in "real life". There was never an act or show, it was the real him.

How can we ever replace him, there will never be another Steve. All day and still now at midnight there is a constant flow of people arriving at the front of his zoo paying their respects and leaving flowers and messages.

I still cant believe it. RIP Steve.

What a tragic loss...

Even though we thought he was as crazy as a loon - he entertained us MANY nights. My kids would have belly-busting laughs with him as well as being educated on wildlife.

Whats funny is as many times as we've said, "He's gonna get killed doing that!" - its still a shock to read of HOW he died.

God bless his family.

I had heard about it on tv and looked up on the net...They were saying that he was actually filming a documentary at the time and was attacked...From what they have on his website they are saying it punctured his heart...They sent for a helicopter but he was dead before they could get onscene...Its really sad, he filled my home with laughter many a times.