Journalists pay tribute to 'lovely guy' Sky News cameraman Mick Deane killed in Egypt

Sky News cameraman Mick Deane (EPA)

Sky News journalists this afternoon paid tribute to cameraman and colleague Mick Deane who was shot and killed in Egypt this morning while covering clashes between security forces and pro-Morsi protesters in the Cairo district of Rabaa.

The 61-year-old had worked for Sky for 15 years, based in Washington and then Jerusalem. He is said to have died minutes after reaching hospital.

John Ryley, the Head of Sky News, described Mr Deane as “the very best of cameramen, a brilliant journalist and an inspiring mentor to many at Sky”.

Tim Marshall, the network’s foreign affairs editor, described the cameraman as “a friend, brave as a lion but what a heart… what a human being”. He was also “humorous and wise”.

On Twitter those who had worked alongside Mr Deane paid tribute to his dedication and professionalism. Sky correspondent Niall Paterson said the cameraman was “truly one of the very best men you could meet”.

Former colleague Neal Mann, now based at the Wall Street Journal, said: “Mick Deane was one of the nicest people I've ever worked with on the ground. Really helped me in my career, a great guy & brilliant cameraman.”

Sunday Times Washington bureau chief Toby Harnden said: “Gutted to learn of death of Sky cameraman Mick Deane in Egypt. Spent happy times with him on road in US. Wonderful guy, true professional.”

Mr Deane was the second media worker reported killed today. Earlier, Gulf News confirmed that its Egypt correspondent Habiba Abdel Aziz had been killed by sniper fire in Cairo. Habiba Ahmed Abd Elaziz, a 26-year-old staff reporter of XPRESS, a sister publication of Gulf News, was shot dead in Cairo on Wednesday morning.

Family members said she was shot at the Rabaa Al Adawiya Square in Cairo. She was not on any official assignment and had gone to her home country on annual leave. After graduating with a Journalism degree from the American University of Sharjah she joined Gulf News on September 11, 2011, as an intern working as a community journalist for the Readers Desk. She covered the police and court beats for XPRESS, sister paper of Gulf News.

Her younger sister, Arwa Ramadan, who lives in Sharjah, said the journalist was in the mosque at Rabaa Al Adawiya Square this morning. “My mom [in Sharjah] spoke to her close to Fajr [early morning prayers], but when she called again a 12 noon, there was no response. She called again, and somebody picked up the phone and told her Habiba was dead. My dad, who is in Egypt right now, confirmed it later.”

XPRESS deputy editor Mazhar Farooqui said the entire team is in a state of shock. “It’ s hard to believe she’s gone. She was passionate about her work and had a promising career ahead.”

A third journalist, Reuters photojournalist Asmaa Waguih, was also reported to have suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.