Secrets of the death of Steve Irwin (16 photos)

Steve Irwin is a distinguished Australian naturalist and television presenter. His series "The Crocodile Hunter" brought him worldwide fame. On September 4, 2006, during filming, Steve Irwin died from a sting from a giant stingray. This death shocked many: no one expected that his life’s work would be disastrous for the TV presenter. But there are still many mysteries about his death. How and why did Steve Irwin die?

On the day of his death, Irwin was not filming for himself

The shooting for which Irwin paid with his life could well not have happened. These days he was filming a series of programs “The Most Dangerous Animals of the Ocean,” but when he had a free day in his schedule, he decided to film a story about stingrays for his daughter’s TV show “Bindi the Jungle Girl.” The decision turned out to be fatal.

The stingray was unusually aggressive

According to cameraman Justin Lyons, who worked with Irwin on the day of his death and witnessed the death of the TV presenter, the stingray turned out to be unusually aggressive: in a matter of moments, it hit Irwin with its tail several dozen times. Such aggression is rare in these animals, and no one can say what caused it.

Could Irwin have been saved?

Dr. Gabe Mirkin said Steve Irwin could have been saved if he had not removed the stingray spine from his chest. This thorn is a complete mystery: cameraman Justin Lyons says that Steve did not pull it out of the wound, but doctors who watched the film claim that the thorn was removed. It will probably no longer be possible to establish the truth.

Would Steve Irwin be drunk?

After Irwin's death, there were many rumors that he was under the influence of alcohol on the day of filming. Dangerous work, wild animals - no wonder the TV presenter decided to relieve stress! However, doctors refute this gossip: according to test results, no alcohol was found in Steve’s blood.

Steve Irwin's last words

Steve Irwin's last words were heard by his cameraman Justin Lyons, who, together with the TV presenter, was waiting for help to arrive and persuading him to hold on and fight for life. According to the operator, in response to words of encouragement, Steve looked him straight in the eyes and said: “I’m dying.” These were his last words, which echoed in the head of Lyons, who was not only a cameraman, but also a close friend of Steve, for many months.

Steve's toxicologist blamed himself for years

Dr. Jamie Seymour, a poison specialist who had worked with Irwin for many years, was not far from the filming location and appeared at the scene of the tragedy almost immediately. He did what he could to save Irwin, but quickly realized that this was impossible. However, Dr. Seymour reproached himself for many years for not being able to come up with anything to save his friend and colleague.

Australians hate stingrays

Australian television viewers simply adored Steve Irwin. When he died, his fans began to take revenge on innocent animals, one of which caused the death of the TV presenter. In the months following Irvine's death, at least a dozen stingrays were killed off the Australian coast, most with their tails torn out.

Irwin's death tape will never see the light of day

As far as we know, all or almost all copies of the recording of the tragic moment of Irwin’s death, which were in the possession of Justin Lyons and given to the specialists conducting the investigation, were subsequently destroyed by the decision of the TV presenter’s family and friends. According to rumors, one copy remained with his widow, but she immediately stated that this recording would not be broadcast.

Justin Lyons convicted for interview about Steve Irwin's death

After Irwin's death, cameraman Justin Lyons, the main witness to the tragedy, gave out many interviews in which he described in detail what happened. Many of Stephen's friends condemned him for this, saying that he took advantage of the death of the TV presenter to gain popularity. True, some came to his defense, saying that the death of a friend was a severe shock for the operator, and stories about it were his way of surviving grief. Probably, the latter were right: in all these years, Lyons did not say a single bad or ambiguous word

and to the address of the deceased TV presenter.

Steve and his wife dreamed of a third child

Steve and his wife Terri were not only spouses, but also like-minded people who devoted their lives to the study and protection of nature. They seemed to have succeeded in everything they dreamed of: numerous projects, popular TV shows, travel, two beautiful children... But, as Terri recently said, there was one plan that was not destined to come true. She and Steve dreamed of having a third child. And although Bindi and Robert invariably please their mother with their successes, the fact that the third child in the family never appeared still depresses Terri Irwin.

Irwin's ship is still afloat

Steve Irwin's Croc One yacht was no less popular than the presenter himself. On it he made his numerous travels and carried out research. It was on it that he went on his last expedition - to film stingrays. And today Croc One is in service. Scientists from the Australian Wildlife Park carry out marine expeditions on it, preserving the memory of Steve and his legacy.

Dutch ship named after Steve Irwin

In 2007, the Dutch conservation society Sea Shepherds, having commissioned a new motor boat for their expeditions, decided to name it after Steve Irwin. The ship "Steve Irwin" still sails the seas today on scientific and environmental missions - and this is the best memory of Steve Irwin that you can imagine.

Steve Irwin was a grateful son

Ten years after Irwin's death, his parents showed reporters a letter that their son wrote to them when he was still very young. In the letter, he thanks his father and mother for unsparingly investing their efforts in his upbringing, and thereby making him a happy person. Yes, such grateful sons are rare!

An asteroid named after Steve Irwin

Back in 2001, asteroid number 57567 was named in honor of Steve Irwin: it bears the name... no, not “Steve Irwin”, but Crickey (“cries”) - Steve’s favorite word, meaning either “my God” or or "damn it" - in general, the greatest degree of amazement. This word, as well as his ability to be amazed at the wonders of nature, was remembered by many viewers.

Australians want Steve Irwin on their currency

In 2016, Australians created a petition calling for Steve Irwin to be placed on the A$100 bill. At the moment, the petition has received 23,000 votes and, perhaps, the wish of the signatories will one day come true.