Stainton… admitted he couldn’t shake the feeling that “something was wrong” when he joined the Ocean’s Deadliest crew, and that he was against making the documentary at all.

After he had a “premonition” he would die on that trip, Stainton said he even wrote a will and underwent multiple medical checks but was repeatedly assured that he was healthy.

Irwin’s strange speech days before production began only added to Stainton’s discomfort:

The TV producer explained: “A couple of days before we started the show, he made a little speech to all the crew that were up there catching crocs for his research trip – which I joined at the end with our crew.”

Stainton, who witnessed his friend’s death, continued: “He was sort of thanking them all for being who they were and for helping him. It was like a finale speech.”

Irwin left behind his friend (Stainton on the left), his wife Terri (centre), daughter Bindi, and son Robert (right) – all consoled by the idea that their loved one died doing what he loved most:

Image: AP

Yesterday was Steve Irwin Day, marked to celebrate his life and legacy and encourage fundraising for the Australia Zoo.