Fearless Aussie Steve Irwin, who had no problem around alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and all forms of dangerous animals, was killed this morning in what's being described as a freak accident, when a stingray thrust its barb through the 44 year-old Irwin's chest, puncturing his heart.

Although stingrays have venom in their serrated spines they are typically not aggressive and their actions are not lethal. Unfortunately because it was a strike to the heart, not only was Irwin's injury fatal, doctors say his death was probably immediate.

Truly loved around the world for his courage and expertise around some of the most frightening animals alive, Irwin found himself in some controversy in January of 2004 at his popular wildlife sanctuary, Australia Zoo, when he brought his 1-month old son into a crocodile pen for a reptile demonstration. No charges ended up being filed.

The affable Irwin volunteered to journey to the wilds of Harbor City to capture the elusive alligator, Reggie, but never made the trip after no one had spotted the creature in Machado Lake for several months. The "Crocodile Hunter" had offered to catch the local lizard for free.

Irwin was one of Australia's most recognized personalities ever. Ironically, he was filming a documentary about stingrays on the Great Barrier Reef in order to dispel myths about the frightening sea creatures.

The accident happend in shallow waters as a cameraman was ahead of the bull ray and Irwin was above it, marine documentarian Ben Cropp told The Australian. The fish felt cornered, Cropp concluded after seeing the footage, when it lashed out at Irwin.

Others, including his business manager of 20 years, said that although he was constantly in danger, he never feared death, and his closest friends said that his success never went to his head, that he was a "bloke like you and I."

One thing that did make him shake in his boots? Hollywood.

"Crikey, mate. You're far safer dealing with crocodiles and western diamondback rattlesnakes than the executives and the producers and all those sharks in the big MGM building," he once said.

Irwin is survived by his wife Terri, of Eugene, Oregon, and their two children, Bindi and Bob.