'Hero' British photographer Paul Conroy who documented Homs siege dies

Paul Conroy, the famed British photographer, has died aged 61 at his home in Devon, with Syrians mourning the loss of an intrepid chronicler of the war.

Conroy was born in Liverpool and served in the British Army for seven years, before becoming a highly respected war photographer, renowned for his bravery and human touch.

He covered the wars in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine, and had covered the US siege on Cuba shortly before his death.

News of Conroy's passing emerged on his social media page on Saturday with his brother later confirming his death from a heart attack.

"If we needed him, we got him. I lost my first wife 36 years ago and he was living in Canada and when he found out she died, he was home 18 hours later," his brother Alan told the Liverpool Echo.

"Just got on a plane and came home. That's what you remember. He'd do stuff that you didn't expect, but if you needed anything he was there."

Conroy was best known for his coverage of the siege of Homs, working from one of the most dangerous parts of Syria where the Assad regime had sealed all supplies from entering the rebel city and bombed it daily.

He was badly injured in a regime shelling whilst documenting life in the opposition city, in an attack that killed his colleagues Marie Colvin and French photojournalist Remi Ochlik.

The tragedy was dramatised in the film 'A Private War', with Jamie Dornan playing the role of the photographer, while Conroy wrote about his experiences in a memoir of the same name.

He was hugely popular with Syrians for his role in documenting and calling out the Assad regime's war crimes, regularly attending pro-opposition protests in London.

"Heartbroken to share that my dear friend Paul Conroy (@reflextv) has passed away from a heart attack. He faced his final moments with courage and dignity. A selfless and fearless soul — you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Paul," tweeted Syrian journalist Fared Al Hahlool.

"Devastated to hear about Paul Conroy’s death. He was an early supporter of the Revolution, His solidarity with Syria was such a bright spot in an otherwise very dark time in our lives," another Syrian wrote about his death,' another Syrian wrote.

Joss Stone, who travelled to the Syrian border with Conroy to perform a concert and also wrote music with him, also paid tribute to her friend.

"I wouldn't be the person I am today without Paul. Paul Conroy was a legend. A wonderful person through and through. Always standing up for what was right. Always there for those in need," she said.