Sky News has confirmed that a long-serving cameraman, Mick Deane, has been shot and killed while covering protests in the Egyptian capital.

Deane, 61, was fatally wounded during a military crackdown on supporters of Egypt's ousted president, Mohammed Morsi, in Cairo on Wednesday.

John Ryley, the head of Sky News, said: "Everyone at Sky News is shocked and saddened by Mick's death. He was a talented and experienced journalist who had worked with Sky News for many years.

"The loss of a much-loved colleague will be deeply felt across Sky News. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family. We will give them our full support at this extremely difficult time."

Deane was with Sam Kiley, the Sky News Middle East correspondent, when he was shot.

He received medical treatment for his injuries at the scene but died shortly afterwards, the broadcaster said.

Described as a well-liked and widely respected camera operator, Deane had worked for Sky News for 15 years in the US and more recently the Middle East, based in Jerusalem.

Tim Marshall, Sky's foreign affairs editor, who announced Deane's death on air at 2pm, described his colleague as a "diamond and gem to be with" because he was wise and would keep his counsel when on foreign trips with the broadcaster.

"A friend, first and foremost to us, not just a colleague but a friend. Michael Douglas Deane, but Mickey to all of us … brave as a lion, what a heart, what a human being," Marshall added.

"You know you're never supposed to talk ill of the dead. It would not be possible to talk ill of Mickey. It's just positive all the way. To us, a friend, our hearts go out to his family. He died doing what he'd done so brilliantly for so many decades."

David Cameron said on Twitter: "I am saddened to hear of the death of cameraman Mick Deane, covering Egyptian violence. My thoughts are with his family and the Sky News team."

William Hague, the foreign secretary, said he was saddened by the news of Deane's death.

Deane is one of a number of journalists believed to have been wounded in Cairo as the military crackdown intensified. Two camera operators for Arab TV stations are believed to be among those injured.