“Dancing With the Stars” champion Robert Irwin has spent most of his life carrying forward the legacy of a father he lost before his third birthday. His father, wildlife icon Steve Irwin, known to the world as the “Crocodile Hunter,” was struck in the chest by a stingray while filming on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and died on Monday, September 4, 2006, at age 44.
Now, as the world marks 20 years since that loss, a new documentary is revisiting the conservationist’s final moments through the eyes of one of the men who was there.
What Were Steve Irwin’s Final Words?
A new “60 Minutes Australia” special, “Steve Irwin: A Wild Life,” aired Wednesday, September 2, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his death. The documentary includes interviews with people who worked closely with Steve, along with previously unseen footage.
Longtime cameraman Justin Lyons, who was with Steve when the attack happened, recalled the terrifying moments after he emerged from the water.
“He came jumping up out of the water screaming, and the water around him was now full of blood. And he screamed out, ‘It’s punctured me lung,’” Lyons recalled.
Justin said he pulled Steve into the boat, where the conservationist was still conscious.
“But he’s conscious, and he says to me, looks me right in the eye, and he says, ‘I’m dying,’” Lyons continued.
What Happened After the Stingray Attack?
Justin said the crew raced back toward Steve’s vessel, Croc One, as his condition rapidly worsened. By then, Steve had lost consciousness. Crew members performed CPR for about 45 minutes while trying to reach emergency responders.
Getty“I just remember us putting in a massive effort to get him up the beach, put him in a little hut, and then I heard a chopper landing, and that was paramedics arriving, and I had this absolute sense of relief,” Lyons shared. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, they’ll be able to bring him back to life. They will save him.’”
That relief was short-lived. “But within about 10 seconds of them being there, they just said, ‘No, he’s gone.’ And then it really hit me. It was like absolute despair.”
How Is Robert Irwin Continuing His Dad’s Legacy?
Disney/GettyRobert, 22, won Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars alongside Witney Carson in 2025, 10 years after his sister Bindi Irwin won the competition. The win carried extra weight given his family’s history.
Two decades later, Steve’s influence remains deeply visible through his family. Robert has built his own career as a conservationist, wildlife photographer, and television personality while continuing to work with Australia Zoo.
His “Dancing With the Stars” victory brought another emotional connection to his family. Their mother, Terri Irwin, has also continued the conservation work she and Steve built together, with the family remaining closely involved with Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors.
How Is Steve Irwin Remembered 20 Years Later?
Steve became internationally known as “The Crocodile Hunter,” but his family has worked to ensure his legacy extends beyond television. Robert and Bindi, 28, have continued advocating for wildlife conservation while keeping their father’s message at the center of their work.
Twenty years after Steve’s sudden death, the anniversary has brought renewed attention to both the painful circumstances of his final day and the conservation mission his family continues to carry forward.
I miss You more than I Imagined, you became a part of my family and I was devastated and refused to believe it was True- at first!
This Infectious Personality that Loved all the Creepy Slithering Creatures that I was Terrified of 😱😱
Made me see them in a different way and even find some Compassion at times 😳😂
Your Beautiful Family are as Extraordinary as you were, each in their own Special way♥️♥️♥️