Cousteau recounts Steve Irwin's final moments

Dec 13, 2006, 12:20 GMT

Steve Irwin's friend, who was with him when he died, has spoken about his untimely death for the first time.

Philippe Cousteau says he did everything he could to save the 'Crocodile Hunter' and has called his death an "insane accident".

He told Access Hollywood: "Steve was snorkelling, upbeat as usual. I was on the boat preparing for the afternoon's shoot.

"We got the call over the radio there's been an emergency saying, 'Mayday. Steve's been hit.' We called the paramedics in Cairns and Port Douglas to get the helicopters.

"He was swimming near a stingray and it whipped around with its tail, it was one of those insane accidents. The barb got into his heart.

"He made it to the surface. We brought him to the rear of the boat and did everything we could to save him. But it was too late."

Cousteau revealed he had no idea Steve had been pierced through the heart and didn't realize how serious his condition was.

He said: "We thought there had been a gash wound in the side. We didn't know how critical it was until the paramedics got there and pronounced him dead."

Cousteau - whose father was killed in a helicopter crash - has urged Steve's children Bindi and Bob to remember their father by continuing his conservation work.

He said: "I looked at it as a positive responsibility that I was inspired by my father's legacy. I'm sure Bindi and Bob will too. No matter what they do, they will carry that with them for the rest of their lives."

(C) BANG Media International