Steve Irwin 1962 – 2006

The world still seems to still be in shock over the death of Steve Irwin, the people of Australia even more so. Steven’s body arrived home early yesterday morning, where police viewed the video tape of his death.

“It shows Irwin ripping the ray’s barb out of his chest just before he lost consciousness and died.”

“It’s a very hard thing to watch because you’re actually witnessing somebody die … and it’s terrible.

“It shows that Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him here (in the chest), and he pulled it out and the next minute he’s gone.”

According to police and marine experts, Steven did not aggravate or intimidate the ray in any way that should have resulted in an attack.

Experts say stingrays do not lash out except as a reflex action when threatened, but Queensland police have viewed the dramatic footage of his death and ruled out the possibility that Irwin aggravated it.

“There is no evidence that Mr Irwin was intimidating or threatening the stingray,” Queensland Police superintendent Michael Keating said.

“My advice is that he was observing the stingray.”

The Australians, full of grief and mourning, over the death of what some would call a national hero, have been leaving flowers, mementos, and cards at the Australia Zoo to commemorate the world famous Crocodile Hunter.

“I thought you were immortal. How I wish that was true”, said one card tucked into the huge growing floral tribute outside the zoo.

“Hero to our mother nature”, said another.

Two people signed their condolences on a khaki ranger shirt of the type made famous by the Crocodile Hunter, while another placed flowers in the mouth of a large timber crocodile at the zoo’s gates.

Australia Zoo spokeswoman Louise Martin said the intense reaction was triggered by Irwin’s larrikin nature.

A local Australian news network has put together a short web memorial for Steve Irwin, showcasing his love of life, nature, and family, while briefly touching on the anatomy of a stingray attack.