Pure Pedantry : Steve Irwin Killed

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Jake Young is a MD/PhD student at Mount Sinai School of Medicine focusing in Neuroscience. He is due to graduate in 2032. He received a BS and a MS in Biological Sciences from Stanford University -- where he spent most of his time drinking heavily and building vegetable catapults instead of learning information that would now be eminently useful. When he is not failing terrifically to perform his sworn duties, he enjoys watching bad movies, ethnic food, and running.

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Steve Irwin Killed

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Posted on: September 4, 2006 1:40 AM, by Jake Young

No way:

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - Steve Irwin, the Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray during a diving expedition, Australian media said. He was 44.
Irwin was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Queensland state when the accident occurred, Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on its Web site.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp. said Irwin was diving near Low Isles near the resort town of Port Douglas, about 1,260 miles north of Brisbane.

A helicopter carrying paramedics flew to the island, but he died from a stingray barb to the heart, ABC reported on its Web site.

I don't really have a comment on this -- although I am curious how you can even get a stingray barb to the heart. Poor guy. I mean he did some stuff that I considered really stupid, but he did genuinely love animals and did a good job bringing that love to the public.

RIP, Crocodile Hunter.

Comments

The news is a shock to me and all Queenslanders. A stingray's barb is extremely powerful and can pierce through wood. Its poison causes decreased blood pressure, dizziness and sometimes shock. How unfortunate to be struck in the chest! We will all wish the best for his lovely wife and family.

Posted by: Louise | September 4, 2006 2:12 AM

Irwin's death is tragic, but I agree with you that he did some really stupid things. Look closely at the photo in this BBC news story - he's holding his baby in one hand, and fighting off a crocodile with the other!

Posted by: The neurophilosopher | September 4, 2006 9:02 AM

Uh, dude, he was feeding that croc, not 'fighting him off'.

Posted by: steve s | September 4, 2006 2:35 PM

Gosh it's really hard to believe.I've been watching him since I was a kid.I still can't beleive it.I'm watching the special on Animal Planet now.My mom told me this morning when I woke and I was like "what?".It's very sad.He may have done some controversial and stupid(holding his son while feeding a croc" things,but it doesn't.....didn't mean he was a bad person. Please don't speak ill of the....dead.RIP Steve

Posted by: Tilly | September 4, 2006 7:20 PM