NBC's Tim Russert dies of heart attack

Washington, June 14 : Television journalist and NBC Bureau chief Tim Russert died of heart attack on June 13, aged 58.

Russert died while at work in the NBC news bureau.

"It is my sad duty to report this afternoon that my friend and colleague Tim Russert ... collapsed and died while at work in the NBC news bureau in Washington, D.C.," People quoted colleague Tom Brokaw, as saying in an NBC bulletin.

"This news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice," he added.

Russert had just returned to Washington after a vacation with his wife, Vanity Fair journalist Maureen Orth, and son Luke from Italy. The family was also celebrating Luke's graduation from Boston College earlier this spring.

President George Bush also expressed his grief over the journalist's death.

He said in a statement, "Laura and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tim Russert. Those of us who knew and worked with Tim, his many friends, and the millions of Americans who loyally followed his career on the air will all miss him."

"He was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it."

Russert's fellow journalist, CNN's Anderson Cooper, who is currently in Africa, said in a statement: "Tim Russert was a remarkable journalist and an extraordinarily decent human being."

In 2005, Russert won an Emmy for covering the funeral of President Ronald Reagan.

ANI