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

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.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/deathstar461/wtf/Photo_0004.jpg

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/irwins-diana-effect/2006/09/07/1157222250371.html

Steve Irwin's shocking death has stirred up hysteria comparable to the aftermath of Princess Diana's demise almost a decade ago.

Although the unglamorous Irwin would probably have yelled "Crikey!" at any link with the woman dubbed in death as England's Rose, the response from the public worldwide has been remarkably similar.

Both died unexpectedly in freakish accidents that received saturation media coverage.

Like Diana's death, the assassination of John F Kennedy or the murder of John Lennon, people can remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard Irwin had died on Monday.

Websites have been overwhelmed by people wanting to pay tribute to the Crocodile Hunter, while newspapers have enjoyed a spike in sales due to the public interest.

After spending most of his life risking death from snakebite or wrestling with crocodiles, Steve Irwin's demise was due to a fatal stab wound from a stingray's barb.

Amazingly, there is footage of his dying moments with debate ongoing over whether the film should ever be shown.

The public reacted to Diana's death by swamping London's royal palaces with flowers and other tributes.

The Irwin-owned Australia Zoo, north of Brisbane, has become a mecca for thousands of fans who have turned the entrance of the wildlife park into a massive floral memorial.

Irwin's family has been inundated with messages of support from around the world, particularly America where his death has dominated the news due to his immense popularity there.

Cultural studies lecturer Dr Karen Brooks said even though there was nothing in common between Irwin and Princess Diana, the reaction to their deaths had strong parallels.

"In Britain, they're calling Steve's death our Diana," the University of the Sunshine Coast academic and media commentator said.

"There's a sense in which the outpouring of grief and the shock has been very similar."

The Irwin family seem nonplussed at all the fuss over Steve, a man described by his grieving father Bob as just an ordinary bloke.

The Irwins have already turned down an offer of a state funeral.

Diana, killed in a Paris road crash in 1997, was farewelled at a Westminster Abbey service which featured Elton John performing a Diana-ised version of Candle In The Wind.

There's been talk of a memorial service at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for Steve Irwin, but hopefully no bright spark will suggest enlisting Sir Elton to sing Crocodile Rock if that event goes ahead.

so fucking otm.

Now this is a USC I can accept.

which american said that?

Goodbye Australia's Noah
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the mate that placed himself
Where crocs were thought apart

You yelled out to our country
And you whispered to those animals in pain
Now you belong to heaven
And the stars spell out your name

{Refrain}
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a warrior in the wind
Never fading with the sunset when the tide came in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along Australia’s dusty hills
Your Flame’s burned out long before
Your legend ever will

Manliness we've lost
These empty days without your smile
This torch we'll always carry
For our nation's reptile park child

And even though we cry “Crikey!
The truth brings us to tears
All our words cannot express
The joy you brought us through the years

{Refrain}

Goodbye Australia's Noah
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the Mate that placed Himself
Where animals were thought apart

Goodbye Australia's Noah
From a country lost without your soul
Who'll miss the wings of your conservation
More than you'll ever know

R.I.P Steve Irwin 1962-2006

This is the funniest thing I've read on this thread since "ha bloddy ha"!