TOPIC: 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin Dead
Steve Irwin, known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung by a stingray in a marine accident off Australia's north coast. Media reports say Irwin was snorkeling at Batt Reef, a part of the Great Barrier Reef about 9 miles from the town of Port Douglas, when the incident happened on Monday morning.
Irwin, 44, was killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was in the area to film pieces for a show called "Ocean's Deadliest" with Phillippe Cousteau, grandson of Jacques, Irwin's producer and friend John Stainton told CNN's "American Morning." Weather had prevented the crew from doing work for that program, said Stainton, so Irwin decided to do some softer features for a new children's TV show he was doing with his daughter, Bindi. "He came over the top of a stingray that was buried in the sand, and the barb came up and hit him in the chest," said Stainton. Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Full article: KLTV7

"He has left a legacy," Stainton told CNN. "That people do love some of the unloved animals like crocodiles and reptiles that people wanted to kill. He's actually put a position in their hearts for them. I want that to continue. ... I want people to really go out there and remember Steve Irwin for what he really was, which was a great conservationist, saving wildlife and actually promoting wildlife that people didn't love."

Charlie's Notes: My daughters cried and cried when my wife and I told them about Steve Irwin's death this morning. As a father and husband, my heart goes out to the Irwin family. Terri, Bindi and little Robert are feeling a million times the loss we all feel.
My girls both said that Steve Irwin is one of the reasons they love animals so much. Steve helped ALL of my family learn to find the beauty in many animals, especially reptiles. May he rest in peace and may God's comfort surround his family in this time of mourning.
Here is an excellent tribute to Steve Irwin (hosted on YouTube).