'Crocodile Hunter' dies while filming in Australia
Popular TV personality and conservationist Steve Irwin, 44, died Monday after being pierced in the heart by a stingray while filming at the Great Barrier Reef, The Washington Post reported.
The Post reported the 10-inch poisonous barb that extends from the stingray's tail is rarely fatal, causing less than 17 deaths each year. The barb entered Irwin's ribcage, but he was able to pull the barb out himself, losing consciousness immediately thereafter. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to The Post.
Irwin's colleague John Stainton, who was present when Irwin died, told the Associated Press that Irwin "came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart."
Irwin was on location off the coast of Australia filming a new series called "Ocean's Deadliest," according to The Post. The Post reported that he took a day off of work to make an appearance diving for his daughter's new TV series.
Irwin is best known for his role as the "Crocodile Hunter." However, he was also very active in educating the public on environmental issues and animal rights.
"He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind," Stainton told the Associated Press.
