Stevie Irwin, the worlds best crocodile hunter has been killed in Australia.
Irwin was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier reef in Queensland when he was stung and killed by a stingray barb.
The incident occurred after Irwin and his crew began their diving expedition near the town of Port Douglas; paramedics were rushed to the scene in a helicopter but Irwin died from a stingray barb to the heart.
Irwin, whose family founded Australia Zoo became an international celebrity following the success of his TV show �Crocodile Hunter� and quickly developed a cult status.
He is survived by his wife and TV sidekick Terri and their two children Bindi Sue, eight and Bob, two.
He will be sadly missed.
UPDATE: Steve Irwin�s producer John Stainton has revealed more details about the lead up to the Crocodile Hunter�s death, he said: "He came over the top of the stingray and the barb went up into his chest and put a hole in his heart."
Documentary maker Ben Cropp revealed to Register.com that he had spoken to the cameraman on location with Irwin at the time of the accident and said: "In this case he was swimming alongside a bull ray, a big black ray and the cameraman would have been in front, filming him.
�Steve got probably maybe a bit too close to the ray, and with the cameraman in front, the ray must have felt sort of cornered. It baulked but didn't spook and go racing away, which would have been fine.
"It went into a defensive mode, stopped, turned around and lashed out with its tail which has a considerable spike on it. Unfortunately, Steve was directly in its path and he took a fatal wound."
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has also paid his respects to Irwin saying: "I am quite shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death. He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people."
"I really do feel Australia has lost a wonderful and colourful son."
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