Crikey!

Dear friends, family, and others. Today, the world lost a great man. Stephen Robert Irwin, nicknamed 'Steveo', passed away today. Most people knew Steve only as 'The Crocodile Hunter'.

Shortly after 11:00 AM AEST(Australian Eastern Standard Time), on September 4th, 2006, Steve was fatally struck in the heart by a stingray while diving off Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. He was filming some shots for the show his daughter is hosting.

Crewmen aboard his boat called for EMS as soon as it happened and performed CPR as they floored the boat towards the shore where Steve was to be taken by Air Ambulance, but medical staff pronouced him dead when they arrived on scene.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard spoke later in "shock and distress" about Steve's sudden passing. He went on to say that "Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son."

I can understand Mr. Howard's "shock and distress". I first read about Steve's death in an MSN name of my friend Jelani. My initial reactin was something like Reginald's in this picture:


Making his television debut in The Crocodile Hunter in 1996, Steve quickly became a pop culture icon, later creating Croc Files in 1999. He even appeared in the finale of Australian Idol in 2004.

Not only has Australia lost a "wonderful and colourful man", but the world has. Steve's passing will impact billions of people all over the world. I know it has impacted me. I wrote this post.

Rest in Peace Steve, you will never be forgotten.