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MEXICO CITY Eloy O. Aguilar, an award-winning Associated Press bureau chief who mentored a generation of journalists in Mexico and Central America as he covered civil wars, disasters and political upheaval, died Friday. He was 72.

Legendary for getting the news out, award-winning journalist Eloy O. Aguilar was there -- after a tip -- when the first bombs fell as the U.S. invaded Panama in 1989.

He died after collapsing and hitting his head while on his way to address a conference of U.S. journalism school deans.

Aguilar was the face of the AP in much of Latin America for more than a quarter-century, enthusiastically leading efforts for press freedom and the improvement of journalistic standards in both English and Spanish.

"Eloy embodied the very best of the AP, leading by example with hard work, impeccable journalism and unflagging kindness," said Tom Curley, AP's president and chief executive.

Aguilar was legendary for getting the news out. In Nicaragua, he convinced a 20-something government censor that AP stories – unlike others – didn't need to be checked.

In El Salvador, days after the military expelled him, Aguilar returned and persuaded an officer – over a bottle of whiskey – to reconsider.

When the United States invaded Panama in 1989, he had gotten a tip from a military source and was in place at a pay phone to report that the first bombs were falling. An editor asked Aguilar what the source was; he held up the phone so the explosions could be heard.

Born Jan. 5, 1937, on the banks of the Rio Grande, Aguilar grew up in Texas. He began his journalism career at the Brownsville Herald in the late 1950s after serving in the U.S. Army.

Aguilar traveled to Venezuela in 1961 to work for the Caracas Daily Journal and string for U.S. publications. He joined the AP there in 1965, then transferred to Puerto Rico a year later and to Mexico in 1969.

In 1972, he transferred to Dallas, rising to state editor while earning his master's in Hispanic studies from the University of Dallas.

In 1979, he returned to Mexico City as bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and Panama, a position he held for more than 25 years before retiring.

Aguilar is survived by his wife, Lisette Carrasco; a son, Edwin; and a granddaughter.