Harrowing simulation shows how Steve Irwin bravely saved his best friend from brutal crocodile attack

A simulation has depicted the brave act Steve Irwin once pulled off to save one of his closest friends when they were attacked by a crocodile.

The man known as 'the Crocodile Hunter' got his nickname for a reason; Irwin made a name for himself as the ultimate conservationist and wildlife educator.

He achieved worldwide fame in the late 1990s for his TV series The Crocodile Hunter, which he hosted with his wife Terri, leading to a number of other educational programmes where the Aussie got up close and personal with all sorts of creatures.

Irwin became a beloved figure across the globe, becoming known for his bravery to get up and close with animals - though it wasn't by any cruel means, as he owned and ran Australia Zoo, a place focused on conservation and caring for them.

But tragedy struck in September 2006, when Irwin was brutally killed by a stingray while filming for an upcoming programme, with cameraman Justin Lyons recalling him being stabbed by the marine animal '100 times'.

Steve Irwin was known as 'The Crocodile Hunter' for a reason (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Almost 20 years on, Irwin's legacy lives on, particularly through his son Robert and daughter Bindi, who are also known for their work with animals at Australia Zoo.

Those who were close to the Australian icon also recalled moments where his bravery seemed superhero-like, as best friend Wes Mannion recalled the time Irwin saved his life from an alligator.

Speaking at the inaugural Steve Irwin Gala Dinner back in 2016, Mannion recalled one of the several close calls which Irwin bailed him out of.

According to Los Angeles Magazine, Mannion recalled the time he got into trouble with a croc named Graham, recalling: “Out of the blue, Graham comes out of the water and grabs hold of the back of me. He’s a 12-foot croc weighing 600 kilos.

Wes Mannion claims he could have lost his life on several occasions if it wasn't for Irwin (Heather Faulkner/AFP via Getty Images)

“He drives me into the fence, his top teeth were in the top of my hip, his bottom teeth were in the back of my leg. I remember going 'Oh shhhh–crikey!'”

Now, a simulation made by YouTube great Zack D. Films shows how the heroic moment likely unfolded - the reptile lodged its teeth into Mannion's thigh, who is more or less helpless until a certain someone jumped in.

Irwin was said to have jumped onto the gator, as Mannion confirmed: "He (the gator) dragged me into the water and started death rolling me before I ripped out of his mouth.

"Then, I’ll never forget it, I’m lying in the water, and I can see the silhouette - he’s a beautiful croc, it wasn’t his fault.

"Next thing I know something punches me in the head. I open my eyes, and it was Graham’s tail; he’d swung around because Steve had jumped on the back of him."

"I jumped up, and Steve looked at me like I was a ghost and said, 'Let’s get out of here!' He’d stuck a stick in his mouth, and we jumped over the fence," Mannion recalled, claiming he would have been killed without his friend.

"Without him, I would have been killed ten times over because he saved my life so many times."

Mannion continued to work at Australia Zoo following Irwin's passing, remaining close to his old friend's family even after making the decision to leave in 2020.

He was reportedly one of a few attendees at Irwin's daughter Bindi's wedding that same year.

As for the attack, it's believed that Mannion needed well over 100 stitches in his thigh as a result of the crocodile bite, but he would continue to work with Irwin soon after.