He was swimming above the ray (usually a passive creature) when the ray drove his barb into his heart. These barbs can be up to a foot long and aboriginals use them on their spears. 17 deaths worldwide and only 2 in Australia. A freak accident.
A ray will attack when it feels threatened.
Like you though Koh-Koh I wasn't a particular fan either having met him on several occasions, once when he held his child over a croc saying that he was in charge and there wasn't a problem. Crocs are wild creatures and can turn in a split second.
He flirted with death constantly, had plenty of scars to prove it and obviously went the way he would have liked.
His wife and children were in Tasmania at the time. Sad because yesterday was Father's Day.
The legend will hopefully live on in all the good works carried out by himself and family.
