The documentary producer working with Steve Irwin when he died in far north Queensland today has told of the naturalist and television star's last moments.
Police say the 44-year-old died when he was stung through the chest by a stingray while diving off Port Douglas.
John Stainton says the fatal incident was unprovoked.
He says the wildlife expert and a cameraman were snorkelling across Batt Reef in shallow water at about 11:00 am AEST.
Mr Stainton says the cameraman was initially unaware of the fatal sting.
"He [Irwin] just swum over the top of the ray and the barb came up and hit him," he said.
"The cameraman said at the time he didn't even know that it had hit him [Irwin] and then he saw blood in the water."
Mr Stainton says Irwin died doing what he loved best.
"Today the world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," he said.
"He left this world in a peaceful and happy state of mind. He would have said, 'Croc's rule'."
Police say a post-mortem examination will be conducted on Irwin's body this evening.
Irwin was born in Victoria in 1962.
His father was a keen reptile enthusiast and moved the family to Queensland in 1970 to open a small reptile park on the Sunshine Coast.
In 1991, Irwin took over the family business and a year later launched his Crocodile Hunter television program, which turned him into a household name in the US.
Steve Irwin is survived by his wife Terri and two children.
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