Death of Steve Irwin

On September 4, 2006, Australian zookeeper and television personality Steve Irwin died at the age of 44 on the Great Barrier Reef after being pierced in the chest by the tail of a stingray.

Recognized as a leading wildlife expert and environmentalist, Irwin rose to international fame with his television show The Crocodile Hunter, which was acclaimed by the public and ran for 5 seasons with 78 episodes and 13 specials. Irwin also hosted other TV shows such as Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries and New Breed Vets. Locally, Irwin was a well-known personality at the Australia Zoo in Queensland.

At the time of his death, Irwin was filming the documentary Ocean's Deadliest on the Great Barrier Reef. Irwin was diving in shallow water when suddenly a stingray pierced his chest with its tail. The stinger penetrated his thoracic wall, causing massive trauma. Irwin died a few moments later.

This page is dedicated to Stephen Robert Irwin (February 22, 1962 - September 4, 2006)