SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified. Irwin, 44, was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He is survived by his American-born wife Terri and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.

Irwin became a popular figure on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture and relocation of crocodiles.

Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catchphrase "Crikey!"

But his image suffered a setback in January 2004 when he held his then one-month-old baby Bob while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed his sorrow Monday and said that he was fond of Irwin and was very appreciative of all the work he had done in promoting Australia overseas.

In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s Australian Story television program about how he was perceived in his home country.

yess yay.

Now american's need another Person to put on a Really lame aussie accent For them to look upto.

jesus christ i cant believe it

this is very dissapointing for me...i liked him ...he was an interesting guy....crazy though wit what he did.....of course its destined to happen eventually at the rate he was going.....but too young to die...44....he should have been more careful.....he's even got 2 children with no father now.....sad.....well.....we all have our day when God calls us and our time on this earth is up.....but at the same time WE should not do foolish things that can get us killed.....even if we think we know what we are doing...as is in steve irwin's case.....

R.I.P Man i loved his fkin shows lol use to watch them alot.

yea...not to be a d**k or anything...but i knda wish he wouldda died from a crocodile instead...cuz...you kno...yea...

man thats cruel.....dont matter how he died......i wish he was still alive.....think about his children.....

all im saying is that its ironic how he died by a stingray and not by a crocodile seeing as how...he is (was) the crocodile hunter...

im not saying in any way im glad he died...i will miss him as well...

his tv proggies were good i watched a few of them, he was mad tho cool guy R.I.P

Yeah.... *Cries*

its suprising, due to the fact that stingrays dont usually kill, only 9 ppl died in history i believe to this incodent