THE footage of Steve Irwin's death was so harrowing it should be destroyed to prevent it being leaked to the public, the Crocodile Hunter's friend and manager John Stainton said yesterday.

In an emotional interview broadcast live on CNN around the world, Mr Stainton said he had watched the tape of Irwin suffering the fatal stingray wound. "It will never see the light of day," he vowed.

"I would never want that tape shown," he told CNN's Larry King, several times breaking down in tears.