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Irwin family ponder state funeral Irwin 'wanted no state funeral'
(about 2 hours later)
The family of Australian "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin is to reveal whether it will accept a government offer to give him a state funeral. The father of Australian "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin has spoken out against a state funeral for his late son being offered by the government.
Thousands of people have been visiting Mr Irwin's zoo in Queensland to pay their respects and leave flowers. Bob Irwin said the popular naturalist had been an "ordinary bloke" and would not have wanted a grand funeral.
Mr Irwin died in a stingray attack while filming sea creatures off the Australian coast. However Mr Irwin added that the final decision on the matter would be made by Steve's widow Terri.
Film footage of the ebullient TV naturalist's final moments should never be shown, his manager has said. The TV star died on Monday in a stingray attack while filming sea creatures off the Australian coast.
The tape was currently in police custody and should be destroyed, John Stainton told the CNN television network. Speaking to reporters outside his son's zoo in the north-eastern state of Queensland on Wednesday, Bob Irwin thanked all those who have been paying their respects.
The tape apparently shows Mr Irwin pulling the barb left by a stingray's tail from his chest moments before his death. But he made clear that if it was up to his son a state funeral would be refused.
"It should be destroyed," Mr Stainton said. "When that (tape) is finally released it will never see the light of day, ever. I'll remember Steve as my best mate ever Bob Irwin "He's just an ordinary bloke, and he wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke," Mr Irwin said.
"I actually saw it and I don't want to see it again," he said. Funeral offer Australian PM John Howard and other leaders have said Mr Irwin can have a state funeral if his family requests one.
Terri Irwin, Mr Irwin's widow, spoke briefly on Tuesday over the public address system at Australia Zoo, the crocodile farm and animal sanctuary Mr Irwin built. So far Terri Irwin has not responded to the offer. On Tuesday she spoke briefly over the public address system at the zoo.
STINGRAYS Members of the Dasyatidae family of cartilaginous fish, with about 70 species worldwideMostly found in tropical seas, but exist in freshwater tooFeed primarily on molluscs and crustaceans on sea floorSwim with flying motion using large pectoral wingsUsually docile, not known to attack aggressivelyEquipped with venom-coated razor-sharp barbed or serrated tail, up to 20cm long
"It was very brief. She was very choked up," a zoo spokesman quoted by the Associated Press news agency said."It was very brief. She was very choked up," a zoo spokesman quoted by the Associated Press news agency said.
The spokesman said Ms Irwin thanked the staff for their support.The spokesman said Ms Irwin thanked the staff for their support.
Footage
Zoo workers have been astounded by the number of messages and condolences they have received and the entrance to the zoo is now said to resemble an impromptu shrine.Zoo workers have been astounded by the number of messages and condolences they have received and the entrance to the zoo is now said to resemble an impromptu shrine.
"We are still in shock, but it's great to see so many people coming to show their support," a zoo spokeswoman told the AFP news agency."We are still in shock, but it's great to see so many people coming to show their support," a zoo spokeswoman told the AFP news agency.
"It's incredible the impact that Steve had on people's lives around the world," she said. HAVE YOUR SAY His programmes were a joy to watch Graham RodhouseHelmond, Netherlands href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3603&edition=1" class="">Send us your reaction href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5311982.stm" class="">Obituary: Wildlife showman "It's incredible the impact that Steve had on people's lives around the world," she said.
One of the notes left by mourners at the zoo read: "Crikey! We will miss you," - echoing the exclamation Mr Irwin would utter when confronting dangerous wild animals on camera. One of the notes left by mourners at the zoo read: "Crikey! We will miss you" - echoing the exclamation Mr Irwin would utter when confronting dangerous wild animals on camera.
HAVE YOUR SAY His programmes were a joy to watch Graham RodhouseHelmond, Netherlands Send us your reaction Obituary: Wildlife showman
Australian PM John Howard and other leaders have said Mr Irwin can have a state funeral if that is what his family members wish for.
Mr Irwin was regarded by many Australians as a national treasure and as news of his death broke, news websites across the country found it difficult to cope with the demand for information.Mr Irwin was regarded by many Australians as a national treasure and as news of his death broke, news websites across the country found it difficult to cope with the demand for information.
The TV presenter is survived by his wife Terri and two children - eight-year-old daughter Bindi Sue and three-year-old son Bob. Meanwhile his manager has said film footage of the ebullient TV naturalist's final moments should never be shown.
The tape was currently in police custody and should be destroyed, John Stainton told the CNN television network.
The tape apparently shows Mr Irwin pulling the barb left by a stingray's tail from his chest moments before his death.
"It should be destroyed," Mr Stainton said. "When that (tape) is finally released it will never see the light of day, ever.
"I actually saw it and I don't want to see it again," he said.