Crikey! Croc Hunters' been Killed

Famed adventurer, environmentalist and TV personality Steve Irwin, known around the world as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray during a diving expedition off the coast of Queensland, Australia; he was 44.

John Stainton, a friend and colleague, said Irwin swam too close to the ray while he was diving off his boat Croc One near Batt Reef, northeast of Port Douglas. "He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.

Stings usually occur to people when they step on or swim too close to a ray and can be excruciatingly painful but are rarely fatal, said University of Queensland marine neuroscientist Shaun Collin. He said he suspected Irwin died because the barb pierced under his ribcage and directly into his heart. "It was extraordinarily bad luck. It's not easy to get spined by a stingray, and to be killed by one is very rare,".

Prime Minister John Howard, said he was shocked and distressed at the death. "It's a huge loss to Australia. He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."

"I always admire a man who has less fear than I have..." Colonel Creedon said after news of Irwin's death reached The Bunker "...but they say a man without any fear is insane and this guy was really nuts."

Irwin will no doubt be remembered for an eternity for his Discovery Channel antics in Crocodile Hunter and the development of the Australia Zoo wildlife park.

Sources: Fox News, IMDB News, Yahoo News, BBC News, Sky News.