A highly regarded and much-loved Melbourne journalist has been identified as the pedestrian fatally struck while crossing a street today.
Sam Landsberger, 35, was a leading sports journalist for the Herald Sun and Fox Footy.
His colleagues have paid tribute to “a genuinely nice bloke who was caring and inquisitive about people”.
“Sam Landsberger had an enormous future in journalism who took giant strides early on,” Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson said.
“He loved the game and understood it and he respected his craft. He was such a valuable member of Melbourne’s sports journalism world, someone who could cover all aspects of footy. And people trusted him.”
Robinson said Landsberger had the capabilities to become the paper’s next chief footy writer.
Landsberger’s remarkable career was marked by numerous accolades, including being named Walkley Young Journalist of the Year and winning three consecutive Twenty20 annual media awards.
His work was further recognised when he earned the 2022 Sports News Quill for his article “Dons’ Holy Fail”.
He began his career in sports journalism in 2010, while writing VFL football for the Herald Sun.
News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller said the 35-year-old’s death was felt “profoundly” across the entire news organisation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Miller said.
“Sam was an incredibly diligent reporter, always in the office with his phone to his ear talking to his valued football contacts.
“His passion for chasing the big story set him apart from so many.”
Landsberger had recently returned from a highly successful stint covering the Paris Olympic Games.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Bridge Road and Church Street in Richmond in the city’s east about 10.20am.
A passerby performed CPR on Landsberger before he was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The driver and sole occupant of the truck, a 45-year-old Seaford man, was not injured.
He has spoken to police and was released pending further investigations.
Landsberger later died in hospital.
