Steve Irwin’s haunting final words before his tragic death have resurfaced – and they’re deeply heartbreaking.
Steve Irwin was truly one of a kind. Beloved by nearly everyone who watched his work, the charismatic Australian dedicated his life to improving animal welfare worldwide while educating and entertaining the public.
His tragic death at 44 in 2006 shocked many, despite his dangerous career. A man who regularly wrestled crocodiles, swam with sharks, and handled venomous snakes, Irwin’s fatal encounter with a stingray was entirely unexpected.
Irwin’s sudden passing led to an outpouring of tributes from his countless fans. Still, some comfort came from knowing that he died doing what he loved.
Reportedly, Irwin was so dedicated to his work that he had a rule to keep the cameras rolling, even in dangerous situations. According to IMDb biographer Tommy Donovan, “He tells his camera crew to always be filming. If he needs help, he will ask. Even if a shark or crocodile eats him, the most important thing is capturing it on film. He would be upset if no one recorded it.”
As a result, the fatal incident near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on September 4, 2006, was captured on camera. Filming for Irwin’s show Ocean’s Deadliest had been delayed due to bad weather, so he filmed a segment with stingrays for his daughter Bindi’s show, Bindi the Jungle Girl.
Recalling that tragic day, John Stainton, a director and close friend of Irwin, shared how he, Steve, and cameraman Justin Lyons, feeling bored at their hotel, decided to take a small boat to Batt Reef.
Stainton explained, “Steve suddenly showed interest in interacting with some typically harmless stingrays. It was meant to be a simple, safe encounter for a children’s show.”
After spotting a 220lb stingray resting on the ocean floor, Irwin and Lyons entered the chest-deep water, expecting the ray to swim away from them.
However, as Steve moved over the stingray, it unexpectedly lashed out, delivering “hundreds of strikes within seconds.” With the cameras still rolling, Justin quickly helped Steve back onto the boat, and they rushed towards their main vessel, Croc One.
“He was gasping for air,” Justin recalled. “Even if we had reached a hospital right away, his injuries were so severe that saving him would have been nearly impossible due to the extensive damage to his heart.”
According to the Mirror, Irwin’s crew pleaded with him to hold on, reminding him of his children as they tried to stop the bleeding. It was then that Steve, seemingly aware of how serious his injuries were, whispered his final words: “I’m dying.”
When they returned to Croc One, Justin administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Steve for an hour. However, when paramedics finally arrived, the world-famous zookeeper, celebrated for his enthusiasm, humor, and fearless dedication to wildlife conservation, was pronounced dead.
In a somber twist, the entire tragedy—from the sting to Steve’s last moments—was captured on camera. The footage reportedly still exists today.
Reflecting on the footage shortly after his friend’s death, John Stainton said: “It should be destroyed. Once the coroner releases it, it should never be seen. Never. I’ve seen it, and I never want to see it again.”
In 2007, authorities announced that they had destroyed all copies of the film, except for one, which was entrusted to Terri Irwin, Steve’s widow. In 2018, Terri shared, “I’ve never watched the actual footage. Why would I? I already know the circumstances of my husband’s death.” Reports also mention that a copy of the film is stored in a police vault.
I deeply miss Steve Irwin and his incredible shows. He was an inspiring figure until the very end, and the fact that his legacy continues today reflects the immense popularity he achieved.
Share this if you were or are still a fan of the beloved Steve Irwin.
