TV executive and mother-of-two Valentina Gioia dies after being hit by a truck

Catie McLeodNCA NewsWire
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

A Sydney television executive has been remembered as “one of a kind” after she was hit and killed by a truck in Sydney’s inner west on Tuesday.

Valentina Gioia, 43, was walking in her local area of Leichhardt on Tuesday morning when she was struck by a passing truck as she attempted to cross the intersection of Marion and Flood Sts.

Bystanders rushed to help her before three ambulance crews and a specialist medical team arrived at the scene about 10.30am.

Paramedics treated Ms Gioia for critical injuries, but she couldn’t be revived.

Camera IconValentina Gioia, 43, was walking in Leichhardt on Tuesday morning when she was struck by a passing truck. Facebook Credit: Supplied
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Camera IconFlowers at the scene of the incident at the intersection near Leichhardt Market Place. Justin Lloyd Credit: News Corp Australia

Heartbroken locals have laid flowers at the scene in memory of the mother-of-two, who is survived by her young sons and her husband.

Ms Gioia was a senior production executive at Endemol Shine Australia who had worked on hit reality TV programs including Married At First Sight and Lego Masters.

Grieving friends have shared their memories of her on social media.

“You were a special human. A ray of sunshine. One of a kind,” one wrote.

“Val you will be sorely missed but NEVER forgotten my love. Fly High beautiful, watch over your boys forever.”

Camera IconPolice on the scene of the fatal pedestrian crash. Adam Yip / NCA NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Camera IconBystanders attempted to help before three ambulance crews and a specialist medical team arrived. Adam Yip / NCA NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia

Another friend said she was devastated and in complete shock after hearing about the “terrible accident”.

“I worked with Val at Fremantle Media and she was the one person who would always put a smile on my face, such a beautiful soul,” she wrote.

“My heart goes out to her husband and two little boys. So heartbreaking, I’m in complete shock.”

Officers attached to Leichhardt Police Area Command have established a crime scene as they continue to investigate the incident.

Camera IconHeartbroken friends and other locals left floral tributes to Ms Gioia at the scene of the incident. David Swift Credit: News Corp Australia

The male driver of the truck was not injured and would be taken to hospital for mandatory testing, police said.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Karl Cronan called it a “heartbreaking scene”.

“The bystanders who attempted to assist the patient before we arrived on scene are to be highly commended,” he said.

“As the state begins to open up, this will mean more vehicles and pedestrians on and around the roads. We have to look out for each other, especially in these difficult weather conditions.”

An eyewitness claimed Ms Gioia had been distracted by her phone and attempted to cross the road while the pedestrian light was red, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Originally published as TV executive and mother-of-two Valentina Gioia dies after being hit by a truck

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