Steve Irwin Dies

Yes, amazing but true, the legendary Australian conservationist has died. On the Age this morning it was all over the front page. There is even a life and times tribute to him. Its one of those things you never thought would happen, but that you were always waiting for. A man who dangles pieces of meat for a crocodile to grab from his hands was bound to slip up some day. But we were never expecting a stingray.

"Stingrays normally flee at the first sign of trouble. There are two exceptions: if they are cornered or accidentally stepped on.

Irwin's chest wound led some experts to speculate that he might have provoked the creature. "Unfortunately he may have contributed to his death because he got too close and the animal felt threatened," Dr Fry said.

Wildlife filmmaker David Ireland said if a stingray barb hit any vital organs "it's as deadly as a bayonet".

Stingray deaths are rare. In 1945, a soldier died at St Kilda baths after possibly diving on to a stingray. A boy died in 1988 and a woman in 1938, both stung in the chest.

Emergency specialist and clinical toxinologist, Dr Bill Nimorakiotakis said little could have been done to save Mr Irwin if he had suffered a wound to his heart." (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/

end-would-have-been-agony/2006/09/04/1157222070815.html)

The world is in shock, as one of Australia's 'icon' s is laid to rest. But I suppose the final question is... where was his final destination?