Murwillumbah Mustang dies in hospital overnight after receiving head injury in match yesterday

COOLANGATTA father Grant Cook tragically died in hospital overnight after receiving a head injury during a semi final rugby league match yesterday.

Facebook image of Grant Cook, with his wife.

LOVING father and husband Grant ‘Cookie’ Cook has been identified as the man who tragically died in a freak Rugby League accident in Murwillumbah yesterday.

The 28-year-old Coolangatta business owner, who had been playing League his whole life, suffered a serious injury playing for the Murwillumbah Mustangs yesterday in a finals match against the Casino Cougars.

A father of two young kids, a boy and girl, and husband to high school sweetheart Colleen, Mr Cook is well-known in the community as owner of the much-loved fruit and veggie shop Tweed Growers.

Facebook image of Grant Cook, who died in a rugby game in Murwillumbah.

Local Resident Melanie Durr is the first person to drop off flowers at the Murwillumbah fields. Her son knew Mr Cook and said he was feeling shocked and devastated with the news.

He grew up in Murwillumbah and attended school at Mount Saint Patricks College, where he was a committee member on the SRC (student Representative Committee.)

Local Resident Melanie Durr is the first person to drop off flowers at the Murwillumbah fields.

Principal Paul Clohesy said the cohort of 600 was reeling this morning after hearing the news, and that he was concerned about a number of students who have strong connections to Mr Cook.

Mr Cook’s younger sister is still a student at the school.

“We’re pretty concerned about current pupils and how they might be dealing with it,” Mr Clohesy said.

“We’ll really be looking out for individual students and how they’re coping, and what we can do to support them.

“There’s still a lot of connections with him at this school.

“Next time our cohort gets together we’ll remember him in our prayers.

“I never met Grant but the only things I’ve heard about him are that he was a great student and great kid.

“He will be fondly remembered.”

The scene at Murwillumbah Mustangs NRL football field after one of their team passed away. photo Glenn Hampson

Friends and family have reached out to Mrs Cook to pay their respects to the ‘gorgeous soul’ who will be ‘missed beyond belief.’

“Colleen my heart breaks for you all, Grant was a special guy,” a friend wrote.

“Just know your babies and yourself will now have an angel watching over you all.”

Mr and Mrs Cook were married in a small ceremony in 2012 after being together since their early high school years.

Flowers at the Murwillumbah fields where Grant Cook was injured.

The Mustangs player received a head injury before going into cardiac arrest about 3.30pm yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the Nullum Street fields where paramedics performed CPR on Mr Cook for about half an hour.

He was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition before losing his life.

The game was postponed until Tuesday.

New South Wales police are now investigating the incident and are reviewing footage from the game.

Originally published as Murwillumbah Mustang dies in hospital overnight after receiving head injury in match yesterday