Tragic tale told of drink-driving death
drinking and chatting up women, the young men went home their separate ways.
Graham got a lift on the back of someone's bike.
His pal, however, worse for drink, clambered on his own bike and roared off into the dark.
It was a decision which cost the 24-year-old scooter fanatic his life.
Shortly afterwards he crashed at around 70 k.p.h. into a concrete pillar on Crow Lane, suffering multiple injuries. He died at the scene, despite frantic efforts by ambulance staff to revive him.
The sad tale unfolded yesterday at the inquest into Mr. Cook's death at around 4.15 a.m. on February 25.
It was left to Mr. Jones to recall the final hours of his friend's life.
Coroner the Wor. Cheryl Ann Mapp described it as a "great tragedy'' to befall Bermuda, and the young waiter's family in England.
But Mrs. Mapp said the death was a warning to all about the dangers of drunken driving.
Mrs. Mapp, delivering a verdict of accidental death, said society had a responsibility to educate people of the dangers.
It was up to everyone to act as a "brother's keeper'' -- and look out for each other's safety, she added.
Mr. Jones told the hearing he was a chef at Waterloo House, where his "closest friend'' worked as a waiter.
Mr. Jones said he enjoyed a few drinks with Mr. Cook at Show Biz on the evening of February 24.
They continued their night out at Oasis, drinking and chatting with a couple of girls.
Mr. Jones told how he split company with his friend in the early hours.
While he took a ride on the back of a bike, Mr. Cook went back into the club to fetch his motorcyle helmet, before leaving for his home in Ord Road, Paget.
The fateful night was also recalled by Mr. Timothy Ritchie, another of Mr.
Cook's friends at Waterloo House.
In a statement to Police, read out by Coroner's Officer Sgt. Peter Giles, he said he had seen Mr. Cook at Oasis. "It was obvious he was quite intoxicated.'' Mr. Ritchie said he had taken a taxi home after leaving the club, which took him past the accident.
Although he saw a body in the middle of the road, he did not realise then it was his friend.
Mr. Ritchie described his pal, known as Andy, as a "likable character'' whose company was even enjoyed by guests.
He was a beer drinker, and also a scooter fanatic, who back in England would go on runs on his Lambretta, added Mr. Ritchie.
Acting Sgt. Clive Browne said he had been on patrol in the Crow Lane area when he saw Mr. Cook riding a black Vespa at around 70 k.p.h.
"I was going to warn him about his speed. I then heard a loud crash behind the bakery, and heavy engine revs.
"I saw a man lying face down in the middle of the road. There was a large amount of blood from his chest area.'' He said the pillar was cracked by the impact, and a gate next to it was left on its hinges.
He also stated the road was poorly lit, and Mr. Cook was only licensed to ride auxiliary cycles.
Dr. Keith Cunningham, from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, listed Mr.
Cook's extensive injuries.
Death was immediately caused by damage to the heart and left lung, he said.
Dr. Cunningham said tests showed Mr. Cook had 178 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.