Damn, this sucks...
Media statement – 4 September 2006
Steve Irwin
At 11am today, the 4th September 2006, Steve Irwin was fatally wounded by a stingray barb to his heart whilst filming a sequence on Batt Reef off Port Douglas for his daughter’s new TV series. Emergency services were called from Cairns Rescue Base and met Croc One, Steve’s rescue vessel at Low Isle on the Great Barrier Reef. The Croc One crew performed constant CPR during the thirty minute dash to Low Isle, but the medical staff pronounced Steve dead at approx. 12 noon.
His producer and closest friend, John Stainton said on Croc One today, “The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest Dads on the planet. He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs Rule!”
I felt like I lost a friend when we heard this news last night. When Yaunna was in first grade, she decided she wanted to become an adventurer, like Steve Irwin. She would sit for HOURS watching Animal Planet, and for Christmas 2000, she was given an adventurer coat that we covered in patches from animal-friendly venues; she got a butterfly net, binoculars, a bug jar, half a dozen animal identification books, a canteen, a specially-made utility belt with camo-coloured pockets and pouches that Santa found at the army surplus in Burbank...she was ready. All she needed was a ticket to Queensland.
The world will mourn the loss of this hilariously dangerous guy--he brought celebrity to the crocs and snakes of the world, and made us all gawk at the crazy crap he'd do. I felt a certain kinship with Terri--she's a fellow Oregonian. After they were married, I worried about her future with a man who put himself in harm's way as a matter of occupation. Did she anticipate his untimely demise? What are her parents thinking this morning? Does she have friends who will quietly bow their heads and mutter "I told you so" under their breath?
And what about Bindi Sue and little Bob? Bob is only six months older than Kendon...and I can't imagine how hard it will be for Bindi. By all accounts, she was her daddy's girl.
I feel quite saddened by all of this loss, but it is with fondness that I remember my own girl, now on the precipice of seventh grade, who ran outside in her new adventurer coat and hat over the top of her jammies, gear falling off her tiny 7-year-old frame, into the sunny backyard on a Los Angeles Christmas morning.
Crikey, Steve-o...you're such a bonehead. Why couldn't you just have retired to feeding your crocs?
We'll miss you. Thanks for the memories. We'll keep an eye on your kids.
posted by JSY @ 9:50 AM
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