Brisbane, Australia. (Scuba Diver News) Monday 4 September 4 2006
Steve Irwin, better know as the Crocodile Hunter on the Discovery Channel, has died while filming a Great Barrier Reef Scuba Diving Vacation.
Steve Irwin died at approximately 11am on Monday 4th September 2006 after his chest was punctured through his scuba diving equipment by the barb of a StingRay.
Steve collapsed after being stung by the Stingray. Steve, a qualified PADI diver was filming a Scuba Diving documentary from a Port Douglas charter boat with his own production company. The incident occurred while scuba diving at Bat Reef at Low Isles, off the Port Douglas holiday resort just north of Cairns, Queensland. A rescue diver brought him up and emergency first response was sought. Emergency medical oxygen provided, and Cardiac Automated External Defibrillator (AED) provided, further medical treatment was sought. The Queensland emergency helicopter was called but he was deceased.
While there have been no reported incidents of deaths from Stingrays and Stingray barbs are not normally fatal, the barb unfortunately punctured Steve's artery. John Lever, an Australian wildlife expert said, "Stingrays are normally passive creatures and it just sounds like extraordinarily bad luck. I have been on scuba diving holidays and swum with Stingrays many times and never had any problems".
His wife was traveling and touring Tasmania and was informed of his death by Tasmanian Police.
The author of this article, Rick, writes about Scuba Diving Vacations.
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin Dies Filming Scuba Diving Vacation on Great Barrier Reef