“A heartbreaking day for all journalists risking their lives to deliver the news.”
Tributes have been pouring in for a Fox News camera operator and Irish citizen Pierre Zakrzewski who was killed in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Zakrzewski had been working with news correspondent Benjamin Hall reporting on the war, when their vehicle “was struck by incoming fire”.
Hall was hospitalised with injuries but tragically, Zakrzewski passed away.
Fox News announced what had happened on Monday, saying that the incident took place while the two were “newsgathering outside of Kyiv in Ukraine”.
Another sad day for the news media community, Fox's news photojournalist Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/bijKhJSMCA
— Johnattan F. Bilancieri (@BilancieriNews) March 15, 2022
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski,” Fox News chief executive Suzanne Scott said on Tuesday morning.
“Pierre was killed in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine.
“His talents were vast and there wasn’t a role that he didn’t jump in to help with in the field – from photographer to engineer to editor to producer – and he did it all under immense pressure with tremendous skill.
“He was profoundly committed to telling the story and his bravery, professionalism and work ethic were renowned among journalists at every media outlet.
“He was wildly popular – everyone in the media industry who has covered a foreign story knew and respected Pierre.”
Scott concluded by saying Tuesday was a “heartbreaking day for Fox News Media and for all journalists risking their lives to deliver the news.”
Taking to Twitter, Taoiseach Michael Martin wrote:
“Deeply disturbed and saddened by the killing of Irish citizen and journalist Pierre Zakrzewski and one of his colleagues today. My thoughts are with their families, friends and fellow journalists.
“We condemn this indiscriminate and immoral war by Russia on #Ukraine.”
Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst wrote: “I don’t know what to say. Pierre was as good as they come. Selfless. Brave. Passionate. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
I don’t know what to say. Pierre was as good as they come. Selfless. Brave. Passionate. I’m so sorry this happened to you. pic.twitter.com/IvxlPWGDAl
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) March 15, 2022
News anchor Bill Hemmer paid tribute to his colleague live on air, saying he “was an absolute legend at this network. And his loss is devastating.”
Zakrzewski is the second member of the press to be killed in Ukraine in recent days.
Over the weekend, US journalist and filmmaker Brent Renaud tragically died in north of the country after being shot by Russian forces.
