Hotmail
Fans snap up tickets to Steve Irwin's memorial
Celebration of Crocodile Hunter's life to be held at ‘Crocoseum’
 | FREE VIDEO |
 |
Croc Hunter's final farewell Sept. 7: As Australia and the world say goodbye to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough looks to find out if these animal shows go too far. Scarborough_Country |
Television video |
 Danny Gokey on loss of his wife In an extended interview, "American Idol" finalist Danny Gokey talks with Laura Saltman about the loss of his wife, Sophia and how it affected him during his "Idol" audition. |
BRISBANE, Australia - Some 3,000 grieving fans, hundreds of whom camped on the street overnight, were rewarded with tickets to next week’s public memorial service for “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin.
The free tickets were distributed Friday at three locations across Irwin’s home state of Queensland, and were snapped up within about 15 minutes.
Melissa Power, a 34-year-old beautician, was at the front of the line in the state capital, Brisbane, and had tears in her eyes when she finally got her ticket.
“It’s unbelievable,” she said. “I haven’t slept and am so overemotional — I’m looking so forward to it.”
Thousands lined up for tickets outside Irwin’s Australia Zoo. Some burst into tears after the tickets ran out.
The public service for Irwin will be held Wednesday at the “Crocoseum” amphitheater on the grounds of the Australia Zoo, and will be a “celebration of his life, not a sad funeral,” his father, Bob, told reporters last week.
Irwin was killed Sept. 4 when he was pierced in the chest by a stingray’s barb while filming a new TV show off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief around the world and in Queensland, where tens of thousands of fans turned out to place flowers, candles and messages of support outside Australia Zoo.
Although larger venues for the public event had been suggested, Irwin’s American-born wife, Terri, said her husband would have wanted the service held at the Crocoseum.
Terri Irwin and the couple’s 8-year-old daughter, Bindi, are to speak at the service, along with Bob Irwin and his close friend and manager, John Stainton, the family said.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM MORE NEWS AND OTHER FEATURES |
 Neil Patrick Harris may host the Emmys |
| Add More news and other features headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links
Resource guide