Some fans who sought tickets to a memorial service at the Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast for "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin have been turned away.

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Thousands of tickets were given out to people who lined up all night at the zoo and Ticketek outlets, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Melissa Power was the first to get a ticket.

"I've been in line for 25 1/2 hours," Power said.

"It's been a long wait but it's well worth it now," said Jay-Anne Hughes.

"They're free tickets that we're giving away to what should be a wonderful celebration of Steve's life," said Australia Zoo marketing manager Peter Lang.

The memorial is scheduled for next Wednesday at the zoo's Crocoseum. The service will be broadcast in Australia, Asia and the United States.

Irwin died while filming a documentary off North Queensland, after a stingray's barb went through his heart.