The ‘Very Very Weird’ Thing Steve Irwin Did Just Before He Died

It’s been fifteen years since “The Crocodile Hunter”, world renowned Australian wildlife conservationist, television personality, and educator Steve Irwin, died and yet he is still missed by millions of fans to this day. Now, however, fans are getting an eerie glimpse behind the scenes of that tragic day as Steve Irwin’s friend and producer recounts the events leading up to his death.

Steve Irwin’s Producer Describes ‘Very, Very Weird’ Moment

On a recent episode of “I’ve Got News For You” podcast, “The Crocodile Hunter” producer John Stainton, who was there when Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray while filming a documentary in 2006, discussed his friend’s final moments.

Stainton recalled that he could not help but feel that “something was wrong” while filming, especially when Irwin gave an ominous speech to the crew that the producer described as “very, very weird.”

“A couple of days before we started the show, he made a little speech to all the crew that were up there catching crocs for his research trip — which I joined at the end with our crew,” said Stainton. “He was sort of thanking them all for being who they were and for helping him. It was like a finale speech. Very weird.” 

“I had this idea on arriving that something was wrong, but it’s just life, you never know what things are going to do to you,” he continued. 

Related: Bindi Irwin Becomes Emotional As She Talks About How Late Father Steve Would Be With Her Baby

‘The Crocodile Hunter’ Producer’s Ominous Premonition

John Stainton witnessed Steve Irwin’s horrific death by stingray barb, which was also caught on camera.

Before traveling to Australia’s Batt Reef for the shoot, Stainton said that he even had a “premonition” of his own death, which led to him making a living will and undergoing multiple medical checks before filming.

“I felt uncomfortable about it when we were sort of going into the production. In fact, three weeks before we were lined up to shoot I actually rang Discovery and said ‘Look at I don’t feel good about this thing,'” Stainton said. 

“I just had this premonition in January that would be the last day of my life this year. I just had this really weird feeling … So much so that I went and got tests and CAT scans. I thought ‘I have to have something wrong with me’ (but) nothing came back,” he added. “I even made a will that year in June before we went on the trip,”

After Irwin’s passing, Stainton said in a press conference that his friend died doing “what he loved.”

Related: Steve Irwin’s Family Says He Would’ve Been ‘Over The Moon’ To See Daughter Bindi Have A Baby

The Legacy Of Steve Irwin Lives On

“The Crocodile Hunter” was just 44 when he died.

Steve Irwin was survived by his beloved wife Terri and by their two children, Bindi and Robert.

They have continued Irwin’s legacy by acting as zookeepers  at Australia Zoo and starring on the reality series “Crikey! It’s the Irwins” on Discovery+.

“He was the original wildlife warrior,” Robert Irwin told The New York Post in 2018. “I absolutely love continuing that work.”

Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin is also survived by his millions of adoring fans. There will never be another one quite like him. 

It’s hard to believe it’s been over 15 years. This video is classic Steve Irwin – enjoy!