'We understood that one day we might not return': Steve Irwin's father, Bob, says he wasn't surprised at the circumstances of his son's death 

By Max Margan and Candice Jackson For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:03 EST, 7 November 2016 | Updated: 03:36 EST, 7 November 2016

It's been more than 10 years since Steve Irwin tragically died after his chest was pierced by a stingray barb. 

And The Crocodile Hunter's father, Bob, 77, says he wasn't surprised at the circumstances of his death.

'Steve and I talked about this over the years at different times when we were doing crocodiles and other animals,' he told WSFM’s Jonesy & Amanda on Monday.  

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'We pushed the envelope': Steve Irwin's father, Bob, says he wasn't surprised at the circumstances of his son's death. The Crocodile Hunter tragically died in 2006 after his chest was pierced by a stingray barb  

'We pushed the envelope as much as possible and sometimes a little bit more than when we should have.

'We both understood one day we would go that little bit too far and maybe not return.'

The veteran conservationist said his son died doing what he loved and he wouldn't have wanted to 'die slowly in a hospital'. 

'He died doing what he loved': Bob said Steve wouldn't have wanted to 'die slowly in a hospital'

But more than a decade after his death, Bob admitted he was still finding it hard to cope with the loss.  

'It's been ten years now and it upsets me still when I think of some of the special times we had together.

'It's a situation where you really don't expect to lose your children before you go. It's pretty hard to cope with.'

'It's pretty hard to cope with': Steve's father said he was still finding it tough to cope with the loss, more than a decade after his death

Bob recently confirmed he has wasn't in contact with his two grandchildren, Bindi and Robert, amid an alleged rift with Steve's wife Terri. 

'That subject is pretty much out of bounds really, it's a very personal issue and I plan to keep it that way,' he told the breakfast radio show.

Steve was tragically killed in September 2006, after he was stabbed 'hundreds of times' by a stingray while filming a documentary on Australia's deadliest animals. 

'That subject is out of bounds': Bob refuses to talk about his estranged grandchildren amid an alleged rift with Steve's wife Terri

In Bob's new memoir, The Last Crocodile Hunter: A Father And Son Legacy, he reveals unprecedented details about the life and death of Australia's most iconic conversationalist.

While it delves into positive memories of Steve's formative years, it also contains harrowing details surrounding the loss of his son and the impact of his death.

Bob's debut memoir is out now.    

Family: Steve was tragically killed in September 2006. He left behind wife Terri, right, daughter Bindi, centre, and son Robert, left

 

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