A regional daily journalist who “pioneered digital journalism in the newsroom” has died suddenly aged 45.

Tributes have been paid to Dan Kay, who worked for the Liverpool Echo and was a well-known campaigner on behalf of the families of Hillsborough disaster victims.

While working for the Echo, Dan led its live coverage of the fresh Hillsborough inquests, which concluded that those who died in the stadium tragedy on 15 April 1989 were unlawfully killed.

Dan worked on the Echo’s staff from 2003 to 2021, holding roles including deputy head of web, national news editor and live content editor for both news and sport.

A supporter of Liverpool Football Club, he was more recently a regular contributor to the Echo’s sports team too.

Echo editor Maria Breslin said: “Everyone at the Echo is devastated by the loss of Dan. He was the most humble, kind and gentle man and, despite his modesty, a really good journalist. I worked with Dan closely for many years and he taught me so much.

“Dan had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Liverpool FC and his nostalgia-inspired reads were much loved by our audience. He also had a keen sense of justice and took the lead on much of our Hillsborough coverage.

“We couldn’t have wished for a more passionate or knowledgeable reporter to cover a story of such importance.

“Dan achieved so much in his life and will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts today are with his family and very many friends.”

The newspaper’s head of football Joe Rimmer added: “Dan was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of everyone lucky enough to have worked with him. His love for this city was unmatched. Dan was Scouse and proud, and he championed this place like no other.

“He was a sports fanatic and his love for all three football clubs, Everton, Tranmere and his beloved Liverpool, was unrivalled. And that shone through in his writing.

“He was known for his knowledge and ability to recall even the smallest details of any game, player or event in LFC history.

“Dan worked tirelessly with the Hillsborough families and his work here, often behind the scenes, was so important in their campaign for justice.

“He was generous and kind to all who crossed paths with him. He was just such a lovely man and he will be missed dearly by his colleagues and friends.”

Away from the Echo, Dan worked with Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams’s daughter Sara to co-write With Hope In Her Heart, a powerful account of the late Anne’s fight for justice for her son Kevin, 15, and the other Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed in the disaster.

Sara Williams told the Echo Dan was her “best friend” and had become part of the family through his support and campaigning on her behalf.

She said: “He had a heart of gold, he would do anything for anyone. It is just such a shock, he was like one of the family and we will all miss him so much.”

Dan was also honorary secretary of Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation at Princes Road Synagogue and his funeral, a date for which has yet to be announced, is expected to take place at Broadgreen Jewish Cemetery.