R.I.P. Buddy Cook

[QueenCityMotorsports.com]

Condolences to the Family of Buddy Cook, who was tragically killed in a freak accident, at the Moler Raceway Park Demolition Derby held on Saturday August 16, 2008. Buddy has been a fixture on the local racing scene for many years, working last year at MRP, and many years before that at the Lawrenceburg Speedway, as well as helping his son, Dave Cook, in his racing efforts.

Kentucky Post story:
www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story.aspx?content_id=1abdc3d0-3f52-4fed-a9ba-e36078837db8

Statement from Moler Raceway Park
Words CANNOT express the sadness we feel at this time. We love the whole Cook family and the whole racing community (family.) in general. They all know what a part Buddy Cook has played in racing along with his family and we will all sadly miss him so much.

We just lost Bruce Gould, Jr., and were very sadened by that and now to lose such a great person as Buddy just simply totally tears our lives apart.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers and we extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone. This is something very hard to deal with for everyone whether they knew Buddy or not. But Buddy worked for us all last year and he was a very special person and we will miss him greatly.
We will announce the arrangements as soon as we know.

We want to thank Mt. Orab Life Squad and Fire Department and Sherrif's Department, and all our safety crew for responding as they did, the response was excellent and everyone involved did all they could do.

We can only pray that God will be with all of us through these terrible times and bless the whole Cook family and our Racing Family in general.

MRP


R.I.P. Buddy

[QueenCityMotorsports.com]

Cincinnati Enquirer article on the tragic accident.



WILLIAMSBURG – A 61-year-old track official died after he was accidentally run over by a car Saturday night at the “Smash Crash and Cash” demolition derby at Moler Raceway, 2059 Harker Waits Road, Brown County sheriff’s officials said.


Buddy Cook of Cincinnati was pronounced dead shortly after the 7:30 p.m. chain-reaction crash when he went into cardiac arrest, said Brown County Deputy Chief John Schadel.

Cook was in the area where the cars were smashing into one another and somehow wound up underneath one of the vehicles, he said. AirCare was summoned, but it was too late to revive Cook.

“They immediately stopped the competition and people from the raceway and our office lifted a car up off him and got him out from under it,” Schadel said. “He was alert and talking to them. But once he was in the ambulance, he went into cardiac arrest. They weren’t able to revive him.”

Cook was a longtime official, supporter and friend to the local dirt track raceway, according to a statement on the raceway's Web site. He officiated demolitions in the Cincinnati area, Schadel added, and his son, David, also served as an official at Saturday’s derby.

The incident was a tragic accident, Schadel said.

“I don’t think there was anything reckless or negligent on the part of the competitors,” he said. “They were doing what the competition is all about. Unfortunately, one of the officials was out in the area and was inadvertently struck.”

Schadel didn’t know how close Cook got to the cars.

“He was down on the field with the vehicles,” he said. “I don’t understand why. That’s the way it was set up, apparently. I don’t know what kind of barriers were in place. Either way, whether he should or shouldn’t have been in there, that’s kind of a judgment call on his part.”

Kevin Moler, who owns the raceway, couldn’t be reached for comment today.

Saturday’s demolition derby was a benefit in part for Shriners Hospital.

[QueenCityMotorsports.com]

Funeral arrangements for Harry "Buddy" Cook.

COOK
Harry “Buddy”, loved husband of Cathy. Loving father to David M., and Kristine (Jeff) Hungler, stepfather to Ginger, David Soward, and Barbara Johnson. Brother to Patricia Witt, and the late Pam Culbertson and Terry Cook. Grandpa to Carson, Brendan, Autumn, Nathan, Hayden, and Aubrey. Loved Uncle to Ray, Lisa, and Bobby. Passed away suddenly Saturday August 16th at age 61. Visitation Thursday August 21st 5-8pm, with services immediately following at Tredway- Pollitt Funeral Home 2131 Cameron Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45212. Memorials can be made to Shriners Burn Hospital as well as to Fifth Third Bank in memory of “Buddy” Cook.

Tredway-Pollitt Funeral Home
www.tredwayfuneral.com/index.html

[phone]
2131 Cameron Ave, Norwood, OH 45212

[QueenCityMotorsports.com]

Additional statement from Kevin and Kim Moler.

Kim and Kevin Moler and the entire staff of Moler Raceway Park express their sympathy to the family of Buddy Cook, a long time track and derby official.

Moler Raceway Park engaged Buddy and David Cook to supervise and run a demolition derby that was sponsored and organized by the Eastern Star as a charity event for Shriners Burns Hospital on Saturday night August 16th. Buddy Cook has officiated demolition derbies for 30 years and was known as “The Man” when it came to running derbies.

As derby officials they are in the infield keeping time and keeping cars moving or stopping cars if need be. They have flags to control the action. Buddy was struck after a chain-reaction crash around 7:30 p.m.

We would like to thank all our emergency staff, Mt. Orab EMS, Fire Department, Sheriffs and track officials who were at the scene and responded immediately.

Buddy was initially alert and responding to medical personnel. Air Care was immediately called and arrived within a very short period of time. After the helicopter arrived, according to medical personnel Buddy went into Cardiac arrest and passed away in the ambulance.

Our thoughts and20prayers go out to the entire Cook family and everyone who ever had the honor of meeting Buddy “The Man” Cook.

Visitation which is open to the public will be held
Thursday, August 21st from 5 to 8 p.m., with the service following
visitation at the Treadway-Pollitt Funeral Home,
2131 Cameron Avenue, Norwood, OH 45212.

Moler Raceway Park will be taking up collections for the family and will hold a Memorial in honor of Buddy Cook Friday Night August 29th.