SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) — Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the “Crocodile Hunter,” has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia’s north coast.
Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.
Irwin, 44 was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.
Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.
Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin’s death and said his family had been notified. Irwin was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.
He is survived by his American-born wife Terri and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.
I am so sorry for his family.
It’s also just bizarre. As an Aussie blogger I follow said, the words “Steve Irwin” and “dead” do not belong together.
It is just terrible.
I saw this right before bed last night. I couldn’t believe it. What a horrible tragedy. 🙁
Really, really sad.