CRIKEY! Death by stingray (Steve Irwin killed, RIP)

Seriously, we should have locked the thread right after this post.

xpost - he was awesome.

I am still somewhat perplexed by his manner of death, not from the "how can someone die like that?" angle, but rather from the "HOLY SHIT A STINGRAY BARB IN THE HEART?????" angle.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20356038-29277,00.html

Mind you, George Best got as good as a state funeral here - probably the most high-profile funeral outwith Diana and the Queen Mum in my lifetime, so it's not *that* unlikely, I guess, if he's that highly regarded. But is he? An Australian who isn't Esteban to explain, plz.

On Tuesday, Australia's federal parliament paused to honour Mr Irwin, whom Prime Minister John Howard said had died in "quintessentially Australian circumstances".

wouldn't that be falling down and hitting your head on a rock after too much lager? hahahahahaha, but i kid.

Elliot Smith would've pulled that fucker out and then stuck it back in.

The Guardian obit has him as a "television wildlife presenter", all but ignoring the work he did in education and conservationism, basically going for the "he's a wacky and inexplicably popular TV/film star" tack instead. Mind you they also let Germaine Greer loose on him in a vile manner (see upthread), so...

Yikes.

His wife was a snappy dresser, though. I'm sure she'll have no problem finding a replacement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldvKxVCaxaI

have to admit it had me pretty choked up by the end.

Yeah. Part of me thinks "yeah, cool, he's a national hero and an excellent ambassador for the country" and part of me thinks he's like the Hasslehoff of conservationism and WTF with the state funeral malarkey?

Mind you, George Best got as good as a state funeral here - probably the most high-profile funeral outwith Diana and the Queen Mum in my lifetime, so it's not *that* unlikely, I guess, if he's that highly regarded. But is he? An Australian who isn't Esteban to explain, plz.

State funerals here are usually given to former politicians or war veterans, and sometimes to well-known personalities who are deemed to have contributed to the country, like Kerry Packer. It's an honour, but not especially rare. Often it's a matter of enough public demand. AND some pretty vile and controversial people have received a state service in the past, like Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200609/s1734412.htm

Steve Irwin's father says he is determined to carry on his son's work.

Bob Irwin has spoken publicly for the first time since his son was killed by a stingray while diving off Port Douglas in far north Queensland two days ago.

Surrounded by media and those who had come to pay their respects, Mr Irwin held an impromptu press conference at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

Hundreds of floral tributes and fan messages acted as a backdrop and family friend John Stainton was by his side.

Mr Irwin described how he was struggling to come to terms with his son's death.

He explained how he and his son had joked about death, but not taken unnecessary risks.

He said their relationship was as mates, rather than father and son.

"I'm a lucky, lucky guy that I've had the opportunity to have a son like Steve," he said.

Mr Irwin said the family had declined the offer of a state funeral.

He said his son would not have wanted a large funeral.

"The state funeral would be refused, because he's an ordinary guy, he's just an ordinary bloke," he said.

"He wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke."

Mr Irwin also called on the media to respect the family's privacy.

He said his daughter-in-law Terri is coping as well as can be expected.

Besides, they might have to flog off The Big Rum Bottle and that's unacceptable.

I had to watch that youtube clip on mute because of fuckin Green Day.