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LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) - 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin has died.
The wildlife presenter was filming a documentary off the coast of Australia today (04.08.06) when a stingray attacked him, using its poisonous barb to pierce his chest.
According to reports, paramedics flew out to the Great Barrier Reef - the scene of the tragedy - to treat him but it was too late.
Steve has left behind a wife, 42-year-old Terri, and two children - eight-year-old daughter Bindi and his son Bob, two.
Fans have flooded internet message boards devoted to the 44-year-old star to pay their tributes.
On the Animal Planet site, Whitney Colbert wrote: "His compassion for the living things around him was and is truly remarkable. We've lost a great man."
Another forum member, Caligirlwithcroctattoos, posted: "At least he died doing what he loved, teaching us about the animal world. He will be missed."
Steve - who was renowned for his daredevil antics on his 'Crocodile Hunter' TV series - hit the headlines in 2004 after he was caught holding baby Bob, who was just one month old at the time, while he fed crocodiles.
Later that year, he was cleared of charges claiming he got too close to penguins, a seal and humpback whales while filming a documentary in Antarctica.
(c) BANG Media International.
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Personally, I think he was a tad bit annoying.
But this was pretty weird. What are the chances of a stingray piercing right through your chest??
Hazel 13