CAIRNS, Australia - Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the “Crocodile Hunter,” was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.
Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, shooting a segment for a series called “Ocean’s Deadliest” when he swam too close to one of the animals, which have a poisonous bard on their tails, his friend and colleague John Stainton said.
“He came on top of the stingray and the stingray’s barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart,” said Stainton, who was on board Irwin’s boat at the time.
-2006 The Associated Press-

OMG!! I really can't believe this actually happened. He's one of the conservationists that i was looking forward to working with for so long. How can this ever happened. I'm really really sad because of this because i'm also a person who really loves animals. Well, at least he died doing his favourite work. Steve, no matter where u r now, I believe your "Steve Irwin's Spirit" will keep all the reowned naturalists and conservationists going for many many generations to come. It's a real pity that you are no longer here to see through the conservation programs all around the world. Pls rest in peace. Kaiting loves you.