Video footage shows Irwin being hit by stingray

SYDNEY: Video footage of Steve Irwin's final struggle under water against a stingray showed him pulling the barb that hit him on his chest before he lapsed into unconsciousness, according to people who had seen the video clip. The footage showed Irwin swimming above the stingray on the Great Barrier Reef Monday when it lashed out and struck him on the heart with the barbed tail, according to Irwin's manager John Stainton. Police said the footage will be a key evidence at an inquest into the causes of his death. The police are now preparing a report for the coroner on the death of the 44-year-old adventurist, environmentalist and animal lover. Stainton said Irwin pulled out the tail, but in the next moment he collapsed and gone. The cameraman had to shut down the camera. According to Stainton, Irwin was shooting the footage for a new wildlife project he was making with his daughter, Bindi, 8, for airing in the U.S. next year. A police spokesperson said there was no evidence showing Irwin threatened or intimidated the stingray. Rescuers had taken the injured Irwin aboard his research vessel, Croc 1, and tried to resuscitate him during the 30-minute sail to a nearby Lowe Isle, where a medical helicopter had come in with paramedics. However, the efforts proved futile. Doctors subsequently said the barb had pierced his chest and he had suffered a severe cardiac arrest afterwards. According to marine experts, stingrays are normally cool but they attack in self-defence. The venom is known to be very painful but not fatal. However, the tail part can cause grievous injuries as if from a knife or a sharp pointed weapon. Irwin is known for his catchphrase "Crikey" during his close encounters with snakes, crocodiles, spiders and so many other reptiles. He has made 50 documentaries for the Animal Planet TV channel. Meanwhile Queensland is preparing a state funeral for the best known Australian in the world. The state's prime minister Peter Beattie said he will be given a state funeral if the family agreed to it. Irwin's American wife Terri and his children -- Bindi and son Bob, 3, returned to Australia Zoo, the wildlife park founded by Irwin's father at Beerwah in Queensland, and where the family lived. The three were on a trekking vacation in Tasmania. Source : Earthtimes Doc : Still feel sad about Stevie, but accidents happen. One thing though, if you are ever stuck with an arrow,sting ray barb or knife in your chest or lung, you should not pull it out. For Steve, he was still conscious when the barb was in his chest and heart. Once he ripped it out, any of us would do the same, but Steve is a pretty strong bloke) he would create a big tear in his heart or whatever the barb was embedded in. Death would almost be instantaneous and no amount of CPR or medicines would help. The only thing that would help is if you were in a emergency room where an emergency thoracotomy could be done, with access to a heart lung machine.