Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin killed by manta ray sting

Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin has been killed in a stingray attack near Cairns on Australia's far north coast.

It was believed Irwin had been swimming off the coast of Cairns when he was stung.

"It is understood he was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest," Brisbane's Courier Mail reported this afternoon.

Irwin's wife Terri was believed to be trekking on Tasmania's Cradle Mountain, Sky News reported.

Stingray attacks are extremely rare. There have only been two similar deaths reported in Australia.

Irwin once told the Animal Planet website he had had "many, many close calls - too numerous to mention really."

rwin was best known for his documentary series "The Crocodile Hunter".

He was born in Victoria and found his love of animals after following in his father's footsteps, volunteering his services to the Queensland Government's East Coast Crocodile Management program.

He spent years living on his own in the mosquito infested creeks, rivers and mangroves of North Queensland, catching huge crocodiles single-handed.

In June 1992, he married American Terri Raines after they met when she visited Irwin's Australia Zoo.

The 44-year-old is survived by his wife and two children, Bindi and Robert.

Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile, said Australians will be saddened and shocked by the sudden death of Mr Irwin.

"I was a tremendous fan of Steve Irwin because of his larger than life personality and his ability to highlight wildlife conservation in a way that people from all walks of life could identify with," Mr Vaile said.

"Steve was an amazing Australian."