SYDNEY, Sept 4: Steve Irwin, the quirky Australian naturalist who won worldwide acclaim, has died in a marine accident off Australia’s northeastern coast. Queensland state government sources quoted by Australian Associated Press said Mr Irwin, 44, whose television show — The Crocodile Hunter — won international acclaim and popularised the phrase ‘Crikey’, was believed to have been killed by a stingray barb that pierced his chest.
He was filming an underwater documentary off Port Douglas when the accident occurred, the report said. Sky Television also reported that Irwin had been stung by a sting ray.—Reuters
