Steve Irwin was globally known for his endearing personality and as an expert in wildlife. His love for nature defined his life, and he was able to spread more awareness worldwide once he gained more popularity.
Unfortunately, the Australian Steve Irwin left us when he died on September 4, 2006, when he lost his life in an unfortunate accident. How?
Steve Irwin was stung by a stingray. Below, we will discuss the exact moment of Steve Irwin’s death. A little-known fact about Steve Irwin’s death is that the family tried having the tape destroyed.
Summary
The most interesting fact about this event is that in the moment of Steve Irwin’s death, he was still filming a video for his children’s nature series. A stingray striked him in his chest, and that’s how the Crocodile Hunter died. The crew did their best to assist and help him, but his situation got worse.
If you’re wondering, “what happened to Steve Irwin,” we’ll answer it right here.
Table of Contents
- What happened to Steve Irwin & when did he die?
- A stingray is what killed Steve Irwin
- He died on September 4, 2006
- The death video is available here.
- He was buried on September 9, 5 days after his death.
- 38 surprising & fun facts about the man
What happened to Steve Irwin & when did he die?
What happened to Steve Irwin is that a stingray barb stung him in the chest.
It happened in 2006, on September 4. The crocodile hunter was filming a video on the Great Barrier Reef with his team and producer, John Stainton. They were creating a children’s nature series that his daughter would eventually present at Batt Reef.
Justin Lyons, his cameraman, helped shed light on what happened. He performed CPR on Steve, although with no success.
Steve Irwin encountered one of the ocean’s deadliest animals, a stingray that he started following. With a span of 6.5 feet, this stingray is one of the largest aquatic creatures in the world, so it sparked a lot of interest. However, the stingray landed several strikes on his chest. It ultimately killed him.
You can get started watching the show for free through the link below.
Pros
- Cancel before your trial runs out, and it’ll be completely free.
Cons
- Forget to cancel the trial, and you’ll end up paying. You better set a reminder!
A stingray is what killed Steve Irwin
The crew was filming a television show, searching for a tiger shark. They couldn’t find one, so they all agreed to settle for a stingray intended for a separate project. This creature had an 8-foot width, so the footage was expected to be impressive.
Steve Irwin started swimming towards it, with the camera in his hand. They wanted to capture a scene where the stingray swam away, but nobody predicted the disaster that happened next. Instead of swimming away, this stingray stabbed Steve in his chest and severely injured him. Eventually, he died soon after.
He died on September 4, 2006
When & how did Steve Irwin die? He died on September 4, 2006, as a result of being stung in the chest by a stingray. He was swimming with his film crew off the coast of Port Douglas in Queensland.
Bad weather caused a change of plans for the crew. Eventually, they decided to film in shallow waters to provide better footage. It led to an encounter with a massive stingray that killed Steve Irwin with multiple tail stabs.
The news broke, and the world was devastated. His anniversary is remembered each year with vast tributes.
There are even Instagram fan accounts to honor his memory, including countless articles online.
The death video is available here.
There’s footage of Steve Irwin’s death video, but it’s pretty blurry.
The cameraman recorded the unfortunate event. The footage was attempted deleted later at the request of his wife, Terri.
The Irwin family did not want to release the death tape publicly for personal reasons, although it was shared with police & the authorities to help the investigation. It helps shed light on what happened.
They did not manage to delete the death video, which was leaked and can be seen below.
He was buried on September 9, 5 days after his death.
On September 9, 2006, the family and friends of Steve Irwin held a private funeral service in Caloundra. At the Australia Zoo, the grave is inaccessible to visitors.
The Australian government offered to hold a special state funeral. Still, the family declined this offer as they knew he wanted to be remembered as an ordinary man.
38 surprising & fun facts about the man
Steve had an amazing life, although he was very family-oriented. He brought awareness worldwide and sparked the interest of the entire population toward nature and animals. Here are some interesting facts about the crocodile hunter and his death.
1. He left a lasting legacy of conservation
As he started generating more money from his show, Steve reinvested most of them into conservationism. He purchased lands in Australia and United States to use them as wildlife reservations for endangered species.
2. He discovered a new species of turtle.
Steve has discovered a new species of turtles, and they are now named ”Elseya Irwin”. The species is quite aggressive, unlike their discoverer, who was a very friendly Australian.
3. He was trained in mixed martial arts.
He was inclined towards MMA and loved such competitions. He also trained for Gaidojutsu and expressed his love for martial arts. Although not a professional fighter, Steve kept an active lifestyle in this sport.
4. His only feature-length film was a hit.
There is a movie called The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, which was produced in 2002. It won the Young Artist Award for Best Family Feature Film in comedy.
It’s free to watch below.
Pros
- It’s definitely a good watch.
- You’ll learn a thing or two along the way.
Cons
- You might just fall in love with the Australian.
5. He named his daughter after animals
Steve named his daughter Bindi after his trusty old crocodile that bore the same name. He consulted with Terri about this, and they both agreed it was a silly but awesome idea.
6. His animal-loving son is just like him.
His son Robert wants to be as cool as his dad, and his television career is just getting started. He helps run the Australia Zoo with the family and has become a children’s television personality.
7. There’s a snail named after him.
A new species of snails were discovered in 2009 by John Stanisic, a Queensland Museum scientist. He named his discovery after Steve, and the snail’s name is now Crikey Steveirwini.
8. He fulfilled his dream of expanding the Australia Zoo.
Steve built a Crocoseum at the zoo, which houses crocodiles in clear water. It allows visitors to see how these animals behave in the wild, where the water is dirty.
9. He was afraid of parrots.
While he was courageous in front of dangerous crocodiles and other beasts, Steve was afraid of small birds. They often bit him, especially on his nose!
10. He met his wife at a zoo.
He minded his own business at the zoo when he met with Terri Raines one day. It was love at first sight, with her describing him as ”an environmental Tarzan”. They got engaged after 4 months and married in 1992.
They later went on to start the WIldlife Warriors foundation in 2002.
11. There are Steve Irwin costumes.
Maybe Halloween is just around the corner or you have been invited to a costume party. We got you covered with two wonderful and funny ideas.
Crocodile Wrestler & Crocodile Halloween Couples’ Costume
How about dressing as Steve Irwin, with your partner taking on a crocodile’s costume? This product offers everything you need, with the perfect accessory pack to complete your costumes.
An iconic shaggy blonde mullet is included, as well as a ”Steve” patch that pins to any tpe of clothing. To show off your bravery to other guests, a green rubber snake is also included. He was even so big that he was interviewed by Larry King!
Pros
- People will fall in love with the Australian accent that comes with the costume.
- It’s a good bargain on a costume.
- It’s a funny costume.
- The quality is decent.
Cons
- People might just be scared when you show up as a crocodile.
The Crocodile Wrestler Halloween Costume Pack – Blonde Wig, Patch & Snake
Suppose you want to go alone to the party without your crocodile partner. In that case, this product offers the same kit as the one presented above. Wear this costume at the party and hunt for crocodiles while you’re there with the help of your rubber-intimidating snake.
Pros
- Blondes have more fun.
Cons
- You’ll not want to go away from being a blond stud again.
- The shirt is not included in the costume.
- The listing is a bit misleading.
12. He had two children.
Steve had two children with his wife, Terri. The firstborn was his daughter named Bindi Sue Irwin. It made him happy right from July 24, 1998, when she was born.
5 years later, on December 1, 2003, Robert Clarence Irwin was born. He is now following in his father’s footsteps.
13. He has his own day.
It is celebrated every year on November 15 and is one of the most special days of the year for Australians. On this day, they celebrate the life and legacy of the greatest wildlife warrior that ever lived.
14. He was taller than you thought, with a height of 5’10.
The famous television star had a height of 5 ft 10. It made him 1.4 inches taller than the average male in the United States. No wonder he was so brave while fighting the dangerous beasts! Although he was 20 times taller than a parrot, he was still afraid of them.
15. There is a special show about him.
On discovery+, you can watch a show about his entire life. This series covers many details of his life, and you might learn some new things about the crocodile hunter.
A special 7-day free trial allows you to register an account and watch this show for free right here. Find it through the link below.
Pros
- The show only gets funnier as you see it more times.
Cons
- Again, you’ll want to make sure you cancel the subscription if you want to see it for free.
16. He had an impressive net worth of $10 million.
At the time of his death, the Australian had a net worth of $10 million. He earned his money from television shows, and his income exponentially increased with his popularity.
He is known for reinvesting the money he earned to protect the environment and create special areas for endangered species.
17. The short-tail stingray is responsible for the death.
It is a common species of stingray called ”smooth stingray”. They are found in southern Africa and southern Australia. They swim at a depth between 590 to 1,574 feet.
In 2006, a short-tail stingray attacked Steve after the crocodile hunter tried to capture some footage of it.
18. He was just 44 years old when he died.
Born on February 22, 1962, Steve was just 44 years and 7 months old when the stingray killed him. As of 2022, he would have been 60 years old if he was alive today.
19. He had a son named Robert.
Robert Clarence Irwin was born on December 1, 2003. He loved his father and wanted to follow in his footsteps. Robert is now an Australian television personality and a conservationist, along with his family.
He was invested as an ambassador of Scouts Australia, the largest scouting organization in the country. On Australia Zoo TV, Robert has his own channel.
20. There is a hat similar to Steve Irwin’s, which you can buy.
Columbia unisex-adult bora bora booney
Made out of 100% nylon, this hat will make you feel like an Australian crocodile hunter. Made out of Omni-shade materials that offer UV protection at its best, this hat will protect you against the sun. It’s also making you look stylish in the best crocodile hunter kind of way.
It moves moisture from the skin to the fabric, where it evaporates after quickly spreading across its surface. You can purchase this product and the costume we presented above to complete your outfit.
Pros
- You’ll learn Australian wearing the hat.
- It offers nice shade for your head.
- Look at the ventilation on the side!
Cons
- It’s not quite a fashion statement.
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21. He said several quotes that are still remembered today.
Every time Steve opened his mouth, people smiled. He knew how to entertain, and some things he said are still remembered today. There are two memorable quotes of him, and they are:
“Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill and eat you. People are harder. Sometimes they pretend to be your friend first.”
“I have a message for my fans. Whatever you want to do in this world is achievable. The most important thing that I’ve found, that perhaps you could use, is to be passionate and enthusiastic in the direction that you choose in life, and you’ll be a winner.”
22. He had a daughter named after his crocodile.
Bindi Sue Irwin was born on July 24, 1998, and was the first child of Steve. She got named after his crocodile and is one of the reasons why he was always so happy.
Nowadays, Bindi is an Australian television personality and an actress. She runs the Australia Zoo with her family and follows various conservationist activities.
23. The cause of death is an injury caused by a stingray.
While filming a documentary for a show on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Steve died after being injured by a short-tailed stingray. The entire world was shocked to find out that the crocodile hunter was no longer with us.
Governments, non-profit organizations, and fans worldwide went through grief and sadness when the Australian icon left the world. Steve Irvin’s cause of death was tragic.
24. We don’t know exactly where he is buried.
His family insisted on keeping the funeral simple even though the Australian government offered a state funeral for the crocodile hunter. His body arrived at the Australia Zoo, and many believe he was buried there.
His wife said that Steve had specific wishes for after he died, and she wanted to fulfill them. Therefore, only a handful of people know where he is buried. However, there was a big memorial on September 20, 2006.
25. His birthday is on February 22
Every year we remember the crocodile hunter on February 22. We calculate what age he would celebrate if the unfortunate accident never happened. As of 2022, he would have been 60 years old.
His birthday is different from the official Steve Irwin’s day on November 15.
26. His last words were ”I’m dying.”
The crew quickly realized that there was something wrong with Steve once he got stung by the stingray. As they rushed towards him and tried to save him, he calmly looked up and said ”I’m dying”.
Once they got him on the main boat, the paramedics tried to resuscitate Steve for more than an hour. However, he was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.
27. He dedicated his entire life to the Australia Zoo.
The Australia Zoo is located just one hour away from Brisbane. Situated on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, this zoo is run by the Irwin family. A professional team of passionate conservationists delivers animal experiences for their visitors.
The vision of Steve and Terri was always to make Australia Zoo the biggest and the best one in the world. Today, the Irwin family continues to pursue this goal.
28. The Irwin family is the most known one in Australia.
This family of 4 members is known for creating movements for:
- saving the environment
- protecting nature
- and ensuring the well-being of animals.
Steve grew up loving all wildlife, especially reptiles. He often arrived late to school because he wanted to rescue lizards off the road. Eventually, he became a television celebrity that spread awareness about the environment.
Terri Raines was his wife, born in the USA on July 20, 1964. Her father drove trucks and would often bring animals home that were injured on the road. It sparked an interest in Terri, and her desire to help animals appeared at a very early age.
Bindi Sue is their first child, a passionate wildlife conservationist. She is determined and destined to make a positive difference on this planet.
Robert is their second child and was born on December 1, 2003. He is a rising television celebrity, just like his father was. He loves wildlife photography, nature, and teaching people about animals.
29. Terri Raines was his only wife.
She was born in Oregon and started working for an animal rehabilitation center at the age of 22. She met with Steve in 1991 when she toured wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Australia.
Eventually, they fell in love and married in 1992. Terri helped him on several projects and participated in their unconventional television nature documentary series.
30. There’s a Steve Irwin Funko Pop!
Funko Pop! TV: Crocodile Hunter – Vinyl Figure
Your house might be full of decorations. However, a vinyl figure portraying the crocodile hunter can always have a special place on the shelf. This product is a great addition to your collection, especially if you are a fan of the Australian.
A special limited edition, this vinyl figure is holding a turtle. It makes it more unique. There are so many products created in the memory of Steve Irwin, but this figure might be the best you will ever see!
| Brand | Funko |
| Age Range (Description) | Not appropriate for children under the age of 3 yrs |
| Item Weight | 4.8 ounces |
| Material | Vinyl |
| Product Dimensions | 2.5″L x 2.5″W x 3.75″H |
Pros
- It’s such a cute figurine.
- It’s a great gift.
- The packaging is nice.
- It showed up the exact way we had hoped.
Cons
- Some people get turtles instead of him holding a crocodile.
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31. His parents are Bob Irwin and Lyn Hakainsson.
Robert Eric Irwin was born on June 8, 1939, and is an Australian naturalist and former zookeeper. He is known for working with apex predators and reptiles.
Robert married Lyn Hakainsson, and together they had three children. One of them was Steve Irwin, who spent his childhood rescuing and rehabilitating local wildlife along with his sisters.
32. There is no autopsy report available.
Some sources report that the death resulted from cardiac tamponade. Paramedics that offered first aid to Steve after he got stung by the stingray did their best to resuscitate him. Eventually, he died on the spot.
33. Bindi was a young girl while Robert was just an infant when they lost their father
In 2006 when Steve Irwin lost his life in an unfortunate accident, Bindi was just 8 years old while Robert was only 3 years old. They were too young to comprehend the loss of their father, but the Irwin family was always united.
Their mother, Terri, took care of them and raised them well. Now both children follow in their father’s footsteps and are becoming television celebrities.
34. The stinger penetrated his thoracic wall, causing massive trauma.
According to the witness of the incident, the stingray suddenly appeared before him and stabbed him with its tail in just a matter of seconds. The exact count is impossible to determine since it was done so quickly.
At first, Irwin thought he only had a punctured lung. Unfortunately, the stingray’s barb struck directly into his heart. It caused him to bleed out.
35. As a teenager, he learned how to fight and handle crocodiles.
During his teen years, the crocodile hunter was trained by his father. He educated him on reptiles from an early age. He spent most of his time working as a volunteer for Queensland’s East coast Crocodile Management program and captured over 100 crocodiles.
These crocodiles were relocated while some of them were housed at his family’s park. In 1991 Steve took over the management of this park, which later got renamed Australia Zoo.
36. His own mistake led to his death, and he could have survived.
A doctor shared his opinion after analyzing the incident that happened on September 4, 2006. After getting stung by the stingray, Steve Irvin hastily pulled out the barb from his chest, which was the cause of his death. The stingray acted as a plug, and he bled to death once he removed it.
If he didn’t remove it from his chest, the survival chances would have been higher. However, the stingray stabbed him in the heart. It made things more complicated. Of course, it’s only speculation as no one can truly know what would have happened. We wish the death of Steve Irwin had been avoided!
37. His wife, Terri, never remarried after becoming a widow.
She insisted that she was too busy to look for another romantic partner and that the love story lived with Steve was just enough to last for a lifetime. She raised the kids by herself after her husband died in 2006.
Terri is now a grandmother, as Bindi gave birth to a daughter in 2021.
38. Tommy Donovan said he wanted him to keep filming as he was dying.
Tommy Donovan knew that steve wanted everything recorded.
People have an obsession with wildlife stories like Crocodile Dundee, and Steve’s story is no exception. He truly helped get helped interested in the wild. The crocodile hunter’s death was truly tragic.
