Just weeks before his untimely death, Steve Irwin delivered a chilling ‘farewell’ speech that has haunted his best friend for 15 years.
Known as The Crocodile Hunter, Irwin tragically passed away on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 while filming the wildlife documentary Ocean’s Deadliest in Queensland.
John Stainton, the producer of The Crocodile Hunter TV series and a close friend of Irwin, witnessed the horrific incident and still vividly remembers the speech.
According to Stainton, Irwin addressed the crew just a couple of days before the show started.
He thanked them for their contributions and expressed gratitude for their support throughout his career.
Stainton described the speech as eerie and compared it to a “finale” address.
He also admitted to having a sense that something was wrong upon arriving at the location, but he couldn’t have anticipated the tragedy that would unfold.
Interestingly, Stainton revealed that he himself had a premonition about the documentary shoot and tried to convince Discovery, the investors, to cancel the production.
He even went as far as writing a will and undergoing medical checks to determine if he was facing a serious health issue.
However, doctors confirmed that Stainton was in good health, leaving him with an unsettling feeling about the upcoming project.
In a tragic turn of events, it was Irwin who lost his life during the filming of Ocean’s Deadliest.
Stainton is credited with bringing Irwin to the small screen and turning him into an international sensation.
He was first awed by Irwin’s footage of crocodile-catching in the 1980s and remained by his side until the fateful encounter with the stingray.
Stainton’s responsibility extended beyond the production.
He had to inform Irwin’s wife, Terri, and the media about the devastating loss.
Recalling the experience, Stainton described it as the worst he had ever felt.
During his first press conference, overwhelmed with emotion, he initially believed he couldn’t go through with it.
However, he gathered himself and remembered that Irwin would have wanted him to continue.
With determination, he faced the reporters and shared the heartbreaking news.
He emphasized that Irwin died doing what he loved and left the world in a content state of mind.
Irwin’s legacy lives on through his family.
He is survived by his wife Terri, their daughter Bindi, and their son Robert.
Despite his untimely demise, Irwin’s passion for wildlife and his impact on conservation remain an enduring testament to his remarkable life.
