Steve Irwin, the naturalist and television star known as “the crocodile hunter” has died in a diving accident in north Queensland on Monday today. The police say he was stung through the heart by a stingray while diving off Port Douglas. This accident occurred when he was filming a documentary around midday AEST near the Low Isles. The rescue helicopter rushed to the scene but it was too late. Irwin’s body is being taken to the morgue in Cairns. His family are believed to be flying from Brisbane to Cairns this afternoon. Stingrays have flat bodies and tails with serrated spines, which contain venom that can cause cuts and puncture wounds. The injury usually occurs when a swimmer or diver accidentally steps on one.

[via Yahoo News | ABC.net]