Steve Irwin

The Crocodile Hunter died today after what is being described as a freak accident: while diving off the Barrier Reef he was stung by a large stingray, and the barb penetrated his chest. He was filming a documentary on sharks, so the whole thing was caught on tape. People are noting the irony that he wrestled crocodiles and played with cobras, but was killed by an animal that isn't normally dangerous.

Irwin was likely the most famous Australian on the planet. He was controversial at times -- he took heat for feeding a crocodile while holding his infant son, and we hadn't seen the video of him walking his son up to the edge of the croc pond holding him at the waist, like someone playing with a doll. There's a story that he was about to be named "Australian of the Year," but lost it after the incident.

This is shaping up to be a national trauma. He had a wife, and two young children.

Sad.