Robert B. Cook

[nursecook 0]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Cook
Tel: 573-528-9221
Alt Phone: 314-570-3905
Fax: 573-336-0258
Email: Nursecook@hotmail.com

Local Hero Robert B. Cook Awarded Australian Bravery Honors
Star of Courage Awarded to Cook For Saving The Life of an Australian Woman

Laquey, MO - March 17th, 2008 - Almost two years after paying the ultimate price to save the life of a woman he had only just meet moments before, Robert B. Cook is recognized for his selfless act of bravery by the Australian Government. Robert, a skydiving instructor, sacrificed his own life to give his student, Kimberley Dear, the chance to live. Now, Robert’s life is being honored with one of Australia’s top bravery awards, The Star of Courage.

July 29th, 2006 started just as any other day at Quantum Leap Skydiving Center. The Sullivan, MO airport hanger was busy with tandem passengers waiting anxiously to take the ride of a lifetime. Robert, who had taken over 500 passengers on this thrilling ride from 14000 feet, was meeting for the first time the woman whose life he would put before his own only moments later. Within minutes, the pair were boarding the Twin Otter airplane along with 5 other skydivers and students. Shortly after take off, the right engine on the plane stopped working and within mere seconds the plane was crashing back to Earth. Calmly and without 2nd thought, Robert instructed his passenger Kimberley on how to save her own life by using him to shield her from the impact of the crash.

Kimberley can recall Robert hooking her harness to his and telling her “As the plane is about to hit the ground, make sure you’re on top of me so that I’ll take the force of the impact.” The next few seconds were somewhat of a blur, but Kimberly’s father, Bill Dear, describes the heroic act which saved his daughters life, consequently taking Mr. Cook’s life in exchange. “[Kimberley] became a little disoriented, but she felt Robert actually twist his body around until Kim was on top of him and when the plane hit the ground, he took the full force of the impact,” Dear said. Kimberley was airlifted to a hospital in near by St. Louis, MO, where she spent several weeks recovering from multiple severe injuries. The 22 year old Cook, a civil engineer major who was in his last year at University of Missouri Rolla, died upon impact.

Today, the Australian government issued The Star of Courage bravery award to Robert Cook, for his noble and miraculous actions. The Star of Courage, Australia’s 2nd highest bravery honor, has been awarded to 132 individuals since 1976 and recognizes acts of bravery in which members of the community selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives of others. Robert’s family will accept the award on his behalf within the next several weeks.

Kimberly, who wed this past February, is thrilled that Robert is being recognized. “I am 100% certain he could have taken measures to save his own life but he didn’t, he saved mine. There aren’t many people who would put their life on the line for a stranger.” Robert’s father, Mark Cook, is not at all surprised by his sons actions, saying “He would sacrifice anything for anybody, that was just his nature.”


Contact: Mark Cook
Phone: 573-528-9221
More Information: http://www.gg.gov.au/honours/content.php?id=25 (see attached)


STAR OF COURAGE

Mr Robert COOK, deceased,
Late of Laquey, Missouri, United States of America

On 29 July 2006, Mr Cook shielded an Australian passenger during a plane crash at St Louis, Missouri, United States of America.

Whilst visiting and working in the US, a young Australian woman joined a group of people to make a tandem skydive. Her instructor was Mr Robert Cook with whom she would be harnessed for the skydive. Soon after take-off from an airport near St Louis, Missouri, the plane experienced serious engine malfunctions and the pilot attempted to return to the airstrip. Mr Cook, an experienced instructor, turned to the woman and calmly told her that the plane was likely to crash. Instructing her to focus solely on his instructions, Mr Cook clipped his skydive harness to hers, demanding that the woman wrap herself around him so that he could cushion her fall. As the aircraft lost altitude and crashed through a tree, the woman remembers being jostled around and slipping to the floor of the plane. Mr Cook pulled her back onto the seat and again pressed her against him. Moments later the plane hit an electrical wire and, as it plunged towards the ground, Mr Cook tightened his grip around the woman, acting as a human shield to protect her. Having entirely understood the implications of his actions, and as a result of his selfless courage, the woman, although seriously injured in the crash, survived the impact. Sadly Mr Cook died instantly as a result of his injuries.

By his actions, Mr Cook displayed conspicuous bravery, thereby losing his life

http://www.gg.gov.au/honours/content.php?id=25

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[Bluskies83 0]

A truly deserved honor... what an amazing example of the ultimate sacrifice. You are so rightfully proud Mark - congrats again on such a wonderful tribute to Robert's life.

[DSE 5]

Already being discussed

Of all the accounts I've read, this recent article seems to have been the most "real." I'm very sorry for the losses of those left behind, yet this is one of those rare situations where there is an inspiration behind the incident. Clearly it's an inspiration that has had a marked impact felt worldwide.

[jdthomas 0]

The loss of our friends was great that day, thanks to Robert for his actions the toll was far less then it could have been what a nobel action in a time of crisis! awesome and inspiring to say the least.
He and the others are missed.

www.greenboxphotography.com

[jshatzkin 0]

Mark, I am privileged to have known Robert. You are a wonderful and proud father. Robert's spirit lives on in you.

Jen

[alanab 0]

that is wonderful news. i still think of robert often.