it's all over the news. apparently a stingray barb went through his chest while filming in water off queensland around midday today. I'm surprised by how shocked I am, as much as I might have ripped into him for being such a stereotypical auzzie (only a few days ago in fact) he did a lot for australian tourism and was a passionate environmentalist, he always seemed almost indestructible, I aways thought he'd die in a car crash or something "strange" like that. I feel sorry for his wife and kids apparently they havn't been contacted yet cos they're camping or something.
Yes, I just heard this on FoxNews. It's sad. Steve Irwin, the Croc Hunter - a world known environmentalist, was reported to have been swimming closely over top of a stingray while on a diving filming expedition in the barrier reefs. The stingray, apparently, did not want anyone [or anything] to be swimming so closely and over top of it; it decided to thrust its barbed tail in to his chest that pierced Steve Irwin's heart and killed Steve immediately. Steve did a lot to inform people about wild animals and help wild animals in their habitat. I feel sad for his surviving wife and kids.
I feel sorry for his family. It's kinda sad for Australia, too. Not so much for him. He took chances. The law of averages was bound to catch up with him. He'd escaped death on many occasions, and most likely thought the position he took with this creature wasn't an unsafe one. We all know different now. NO ONE wakes up in the morning thinking it's going to catch up with them on a given day. But then, sometimes, it does. He was doing what he loved until the very end. Many aren't even that lucky - and his simply ran out.
The first 12 or so minutes of our 1/2 hour news tonight was all about this: the reaction here in Oz has been truly extraordinary. Speeches in parliament, eulogies from our sporting heroes (the top eschelon of Australian society), all the net news services have gone down from the interest (except Yahoo's Oz affiliate Yahoo7), hourly advice on how to explain to your child what death is when they ask about him, a movement to have him named 'Australian of the Year' posthumously. I think most of it is simply sheer shock: if he had kept doing what he did for another 40 years and achieved 10 times as much, then died of old age, there wouldn't be a reaction anything like this. Interesting comment on the human condition. Anyways he was a genuine conservationist and environmentalist, he inspired a lot of folks, did a lot for green charities, and most importantly he lived and died doing what he loved best and people have recognised it. Good on him.
Dying young is never good, but the guy was wholly enthusiastic, and vitalized by what he did; there are worse ways to have lived.
Editorial Cartoons of condolence (for the most part): http://cagle.msnbc.com/news/SteveIrwin/main.asp
Peter Brock, Australia's greatest racing car driver (so hailed by folks whose opinions matter, like Alan Jones the former F1 Champion, as well as by sensationalising media eulogists) was killed today in a rally car accident in WA. We're having a bad week down here
SYDNEY (Reuters) - One of Australia's most famous motor racing drivers Peter Brock was killed in a rallying accident on Friday, officials said. Brock's death comes just four days after another famous Australian, "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, was killed by a stingray barb to the chest in a diving accident. "I was shocked and saddened to hear of Peter Brock's death," Australian Prime Minister John Howard told reporters in Sydney. "It's been a pretty sad week for Australia ... and Brocky will be very sadly missed." Brock, who won Australia's famous touring car race at Bathurst a record nine times and many other endurance racing titles, was killed when his car slammed into a tree during a rally race at Gidgegannup near Perth in Western Australia state. Television footage showed Brock's badly damaged silver Daytona coupe resting near the tree, a blue tarpaulin draped over its windscreen and heavily dented driver's side door. Brock's co-driver Mick Hone was taken to hospital where he was reported to be in a stable condition. Confederation of Australian Motor Sports President Colin Osborne paid tribute to Brock's contribution to motor racing. "He has been a great ambassador not only for our sport but for Australia in the broader world," he told reporters. Brock, 61, was one of Australia's most famous motoring figures behind former Formula One triple world champion Jack Brabham. He was also a tireless campaigner against drink-driving. Nicknamed "Peter Perfect", Brock won six of his Bathurst 1000 titles in seven years, including a record-breaking six-lap victory in 1979. He retired from full-time racing in 1997.
Yeah thanks for posting that Cujo, I figured with the NZ leg of the touring cars you would know him. I'm not a big fan of motor sports (people driving round in circles for hours on end doesn't do it for me) but I have many a memory of family gatherings on Bathurst Sunday each year.
I heard on the radio that there will be a private funeral for the family of Steve Irwin in the next few days and a public funeral will be held in the next week or two.
I can't believe he's gone... I used to watch his show every night when I was in my early teens... I feel like a part of my childhood died...
