Sky Cameraman Killed By Bullet, Inquest Hears

A Sky News cameraman was shot and killed by a single bullet while working in Cairo, an inquest has heard.

Mick Deane, who had worked at the channel for 15 years, died covering the protests in Egypt on 14 August 2013.

The inquest heard how he had been filming where members of the Muslim Brotherhood were camped in protests against the government and military.

He had been gathering footage of a group of women reading the Koran, when he was shot in the chest.

Sky News' security manager Craig Summers, 54, was with Mr Deane at the time.

He told the inquest at Southwark Coroner's Court in London: "I noticed a row of ladies sat down reading the Koran and decided it would be good to get some GVs (general views).

"I walked back to get Mr Deane and said we needed to get some pictures of the general area, and he came with me to the stage.

"The next thing I knew he turned around and said to me 'I have been shot'.

"I had no idea which direction (the bullet came from).

Mr Summers took the injured cameraman to a nearby field hospital where first aid was given.

Eventually Mr Deane got to a hospital but died a short time later.

Mr Summers added that he heard no rounds of fire before, during or after the incident.

"I have no idea who shot him. I don't know where the shot came from," he said.

"I believe it was obviously government forces because they were the only ones in the area there with sniper rifles."

The coroner, Dr Lorna Tagliavini, ruled out recording unlawful killing because doubt still remained whether the shot was intended for Mr Deane.

Dr Tagliavini, who returned a narrative conclusion, said: "Mr Deane was shot and fatally wounded while carrying out his employment duties as a cameraman in Cairo.

"I am satisfied he died as a result of a gunshot wound."

The inquest heard the crew was not wearing protective kit as the Egyptian authorities had confiscated it at the airport.

"At the time of his death he was not wearing any protective equipment, high-vis jacket, or identifying equipment singling him out as a cameraman from the media", said Dr Tagliavini.

"I found that he was attending an area known to either be an area where trouble had occurred or was about to occur, given the political situation at the time.

"While it strongly appears he was singled out, I can't rule out entirely that this was either a wayward shot that might have been aimed at a building that hit him.

"I have no evidence to assist as to the trajectory or the type of bullet or weapon used, and that puts me in some difficulty.

"I have no evidence one way or the other whether that the shot was intended for him or intended to kill him.

"There is a possibility that it was only intended to frighten him, and it could be that the shooter was unfortunately a poor shot."

Mr Deane, who was born in Hanover, Germany, leaves behind a wife and two sons.

After the inquest, Head of Sky News John Ryley said: "Mick was a very valued colleague and a dear friend to many of us here at Sky. We miss him.

"Our thoughts are with his family. Mick was one of those brave cameramen willing to go to dangerous parts of the world.

"I pay tribute to his professionalism and his courage as a cameraman."

The coroner also placed on record her condolences to Mr Deane's family and his colleagues.