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.

For the full story, please go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14663786/?GT1=8506 .

Oh my god!!!

Steve Irwin died! =(

Omg! He was like my all-time idol since I watched "Crocodile Hunter" back in secondary school!!! (*other then Jamie Oliver)

*sob sob*

When my brother first told me I was like HUH!?!?!?! You must be kidding me!!!

Haiz *sob sob*

May Steve Irwin rest in peace.

Oh and please put a turtle at the start of your msn nick as a respect to the Mr Steve Irwin. (tu)