Steve Irwin Dead

mkosmo writes "News.com.au is reporting that Steve Irwin was killed in a freak accident while filming one of his well known documentaries. Surprisingly it wasn't a crocodile, it was a sting-ray."

Honestly, this was a long time coming

[grasshoppa (657393)]

I feel for his kids. These poor kids are going to grow up with a father. All they are going to really know about him is going to be what they see on TV.

Thanks Steve

[RunFatBoy.net (960072)]

Steve should be commended for his efforts over the years. His enthusiasm was infectious.

Unfortunately, while he stood as a model environmentalist, he now stands as an example of the dangers of directly interacting with wild animals.

Jim
http://www.runfatboy.net/ [runfatboy.net] - Exercise for the rest of us.

Re:Thanks Steve

[Coneasfast (690509)]

Yep. I have the upmost respect for him, I could never get into that much danger. Luckily computer parts don't have sharp claws. Imagine upgrading your video card: "Isn't she a beauty, a brand new nVidia 78... Crikey! the fucker bit me!"

why did it kill him?

[ftsf (886792)]

from wikipedia:

Dasyatids do not attack aggressively, or even actively defend themselves. When threatened their primary reaction is to swim away. However, when they are attacked by predators or stepped on, the barbed stinger in their tail is mechanically whipped up, usually into the offending foot; it is also possible, although less likely, to be stung "accidentally" by brushing against the stinger.

what did he do to cause a stingray to kill him? TFA says it was a freak accident. but was it really? what were the stingray's intentions?

Re:why did it kill him?

[Americano (920576)]

IANASE (... not a stingray expert), but according to this article: [potamotrygon.de]

Stingrays are generally non-aggressive and intelligent creatures. They have been called the "pussycat of the sea," and devotees of diving programs on educational TV are often treated to images of scuba divers hitching a ride with some of the larger forms. This is a precarious activity at best, however, since the stingray's spine is in a perfect position to inflict injury to a human pressed against their dorsum. And if frightened, roughly handled, or captured, they react quickly by using their tail to place the sting in close contact with the object of their discomfort. Stingrays cannot raise or lower their stings voluntarily. The wound they inflict comes from the arching forward flick of their muscular tail. Envenomation occurs when the tip of the spine penetrates the ray's integumentary sheath and lacerates the skin of the victim simultaneously.

Human injuries also occur during stingray capture, when people attempt to haul them into a boat. Another common scenario is for the victim, wading in shallow water, to accidentally step on a stingray buried just beneath the sand. In these instances, the ray flicks up its tail, usually lacerating the leg. Contrary to popular "nature documentaries," it is extremely hazardous to swim directly over, or in close proximity to, a stingray. A flick of the tail is apt to pierce a person's body, and a serious, even potentially fatal, situation is in the offing.

The same article goes on to say [potamotrygon.de]:

Stingray injury has two aspects: 1) immediate physical trauma from the powerful penetrating action of the spine, and 2) envenomation at the site of the wound with the contents of the ray's integumentary sheath. Although venom is not always deposited during a "sting incident," these two insults often work in dangerous synchrony.

Most traumatic injuries inflicted by rays occur to the lower limbs of bathers and boaters, and to the hands and arms of fisherman, hobbyists and other handlers. If a major blood vessel is lacerated, hemorrhage can occur and could even be fatal. There is at least one case in the literature of a victim whose femoral artery was pierced by the spine of a stingray; the victim bled to death. In about 5% of such injuries, the spine is broken off and remains in the wound, especially when the fish is pulled off the victim. Penetration of any part of the trunk (chest, abdomen, groin) is a serious medical emergency. Introduction of the ray's necrotizing venom directly into the body cavity of a person has been known to cause insidious necrotizing effects on the heart and other internal organs, and death is often inevitable.

R.I.P. Steve.

[ColaMan (37550)]

Poor old Steve - but at least went out was doing what he loved, as opposed to getting hit by a bus or something.
I met him briefly once or twice - he was a friend of a friend - and while he used to ham it up for the cameras, he was a nice guy and very passionate about wildlife.

*sigh*

He will be missed.

Re:R.I.P. Steve.

[HappyEngineer (888000)]

This reminds me of the death of Douglas Adams. He was a funny writer and he died while exercising. Truly ironic. If one has to die then it's nice that the death be apropos to the type of person you are.

If I die an early death, I hope it's due to a meteorite hitting me while sitting at my computer.

Fastest Travellling News

[Heir Of The Mess (939658)]

This is the fastest I've ever seen news hit the front page on slashdot.

In fact since this news broke an hour ago I've received 1 phone call, 4 SMS's and 6 e-mails about it. A coworker came running to tell me about it and 88+ news items about it have appeared so far on Google News. Just goes to show that people really care about Steve Irwin.

With that kind of influence it makes you wonder what he might have achieved if he hadn't died.

Re:Fastest Travellling News

[byolinux (535260)]

In years to come...

Kid: 'What were you doing when Steve Irwin was killed, dad?'

Me: 'Reading Slashdot, son.'

Kid: 'What's Slashdot?'

Me: 'It was this magical place where all the news stories were posted two or three times each, where some people would charge in without even reading the story at all and we'd all get a chance to score each others posts, though that was a bit of contentious issue.'

Kid: 'Oh. Kinda like Digg?'

The world is lessened

[Wylfing (144940)]

I heard about this a couple of hours ago while talking online on a MUD I used to code for. The first thought I had was that the world was a lesser place without him, just like the world was reduced when Fred Rogers passed. This was a Grade-A human being, and in an odd way very important to me. Let's just say my dog's name is Bindi.

Good luck, Steve.

He was cringeworthy but...

[1stdoc (959919)]

.. it's sad to see him go. As an Australian it was always a bit embarassing the way he perpetuated that particular stereotype but he did a lot of good for the country, not just for tourism but for conservation as well. A fair chunk of his money went straight back to buying up tracts of land for conservation.

Respect

[riceboy50 (631755)]

I am a little appalled by the reaction of many /.ers. This was a guy with a family. You have no idea whether he was responsible and careful with animals, not being animal trainers yourselves. All you have is your uninformed opinion about it. Have a little respect for the guy, if only because he was more than just a TV star.

Re:Respect

[linguizic (806996)]

Oh come on! If I had his job I would expect people to crack wise if I died the way he did. Yes, he was a good guy, and I feel bad for his family. But look at it this way: this summer my mom was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemo. To relieve stress my brother and I would tell yo' mama jokes and they would always end up with "oh yeah? well yo' mama has cancer" which got the biggest laughs. You have to laugh at death, or else you're just going to feel like shit all the time.

My mother's in remission if anyone cares.

Re:Respect

[Jeff DeMaagd (2015)]

My mother's in remission if anyone cares.

Ouch. I thought the state you want would be for the cancer to be in remission.

Ignoring all the stupid crap

[rampant mac (561036)]

Ignoring all the stupid crap and lame jokes that I'm sure will get posted well before (and after) I make my comments....

*You* may have not liked the guy; maybe you hated him. His style, his 'in your face attitude' about "Outback" animals might have been a little bit too 'kooky' for what most mainstream Americans are used to. But anyway...

I met him once while on a flight out to LA (I think he was doing the Late Show /w Leno) and honestly I've never met anyone who had such a zest for life. Seriously, the guy was so upbeat about EVERYTHING, it was hard to ignore him.

People like him are so special. I'll never forget him, and I hope you all won't either.

Re:Ignoring all the stupid crap

[irving47 (73147)]

There are GOING to be jokes. Doesn't mean people disrespect him. You simply can't pull the stuff he pulled and not get some barbs along the way.

Doin What He Loved

[blueZhift (652272)]

All jokes aside, like most people in dangerous professions, he knew the risks and died doing what he loved to do. Given a choice of ways to go, that's not so bad.

The real deal

[paxmaniac (988091)]

Steve Irwin was the real deal. He really cared about the environment he worked in. It was revealed earlier this year that he successfully lobbied the Federal Government to oppose plans for the creation of a crocodile 'game hunting' tourist industry in the Northern Territory. He did it privately and quietly - it was only reported after it came to light through freedom of information requests.

link [theage.com.au]

My hat goes off to you Steve, and my condolences to your family.

I'm surprisingly upset

[svunt (916464)]

The first time I saw Steve Irwin, I cringed horribly (I'm Australian), but he got to me. I can honestly say I've never seen a happier person, with so much energy & such a good, innocent heart. I was mocking him a few years ago, mercilessly. Now, I'm feeling kind of weepy. RIP Steve, and my heart goes out to the Irwin family & friends. Thanks on behalf of the animals :)

Re:oblig

[Wind_Walker (83965)]

It's called a "defense mechanism". I was making jokes during 9/11 too, because it helped me deal with it.

It was funny. Dark and morbid, sure. But funny.

Re:oblig

[cloricus (691063)]

I did find that comment funny and people should laugh, it's not disrespectful in light of the sort of man he was... I have met him several times and it is a shame to lose such a great popular figure who wasn't a poser. Though my thoughts are with his lovely wife and two children, one of which is to young to remember him, and I hope they are able to deal with this. R.I.P.

Re:oblig

[Jah-Wren Ryel (80510)]

How the fuck is that funny? You pieces of shit.

It is damn funny. Irwin himself has probably play-acted a death like that a hundred times for the comedic effect.

Besides, all humor originates from the misfortune of others. Try to come up with something funnier than a knock-knock joke that isn't at the expense of someone - you'll be at it for quite a while.

Re:oblig

[Jah-Wren Ryel (80510)]

No, someone died who did more than you EVER will!

Your sentence does not parse. I suggest you stop frothing.

I'd like to go up to you now and stab a fucking stingray barb through your heart! THEN find it funny!

Actually, the irony of your statement is very funny. Here you are going on and on about how terrible it is to joke at death, and now you have gone waaaay beyond that and are making death threats. You are clearly unbalanced if you think you've got any moral high ground any more.

Re:Invincible

[plover (150551)]

its just almost inconceivable.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Re:Now that's ironic

[linguizic (806996)]

If by "someone who is the epitome of everything that geeks are not" you mean he had a tan from actually being out in sunlight, then yeah he was the opposite of a geek. But I define geeks as people who are dedicated to their passions. It maybe an esoteric passion, but a passion nonetheless. Some geeks are passionate about Star Trek and finding security flaws in the Linux kernel, while others are passionate about music and art. Steve Irwin's passion for living creatures makes him a geek in my book.