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Girlfriend of rugby player reveals she spoke to him before his death

Girlfriend of amateur rugby player, 32, reveals she spoke to him on the phone minutes before he was killed on Las Vegas stag do after he was hit by a lorry and car

  • Chris Moran, 32, was on a night out with his friends when he was struck by lorry 
  • His girlfriend Georgia Cooke revealed she spoke to him minutes before accident

By Miriam Kuepper[1]

Published: 15:57, 18 June 2023 | Updated: 16:08, 18 June 2023

The girlfriend of an amateur rugby player has revealed she spoke to him on the phone minutes before he was killed on a Las Vegas[2] stag do after he was hit by a lorry and a car.

Chris Moran, 32, was on a night out with his friends when he was struck on a freeway in the city at 5am on Friday, June 9[3]. 

Police said Mr Moran, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, died instantly. 

His heartbroken girlfriend, Georgia Cooke, 25, revealed she had been speaking to her partner until 10 minutes before the accident.

She told the Mirror: ‘He was saying how amazing Vegas was and that he wanted to bring me there.[4]

Chris Moran, 32, was on a night out with his friends when he was struck by a lorry and a car on a freeway in the city at 5am on Friday, June 9. Police said Mr Moran, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, died instantly Chris Moran, 32, was on a night out with his friends when he was struck by a lorry and a car on a freeway in the city at 5am on Friday, June 9. Police said Mr Moran, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, died instantly

Chris Moran, 32, was on a night out with his friends when he was struck by a lorry and a car on a freeway in the city at 5am on Friday, June 9. Police said Mr Moran, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, died instantly 

His heartbroken girlfriend, Georgia Cooke (pictured with Mr Moran), 25, revealed she had been speaking to her partner until 10 minutes before the accident His heartbroken girlfriend, Georgia Cooke (pictured with Mr Moran), 25, revealed she had been speaking to her partner until 10 minutes before the accident

His heartbroken girlfriend, Georgia Cooke (pictured with Mr Moran), 25, revealed she had been speaking to her partner until 10 minutes before the accident 

‘He was having the best time and we were so excited for our future together.’

Ms Cooke, who works with children with special needs, said she was also on holiday when one of Mr Moran’s friends called her and told her about his tragic death.

‘I couldn’t speak and refused to believe it. I don’t know what I am going to do without him – he brought me so much happiness,’ she told the Mirror.

The couple had just secured a mortgage and were getting ready to move into their first home together.

Ms Cooke also paid tribute to Mr Moran on social media, saying: ‘I don’t even have the words of how I’m feeling right now. I can’t believe I am writing this, I am so sorry this has happened to you.

‘It was only yesterday we was speaking about our new home and that it won’t be long till we are moving in, we were so excited.

‘You were the most kind, caring and selfless person who did anything to help your friends and family when they needed you.

‘We had so many plans for our future I’m just so heartbroken that those won’t happen anymore.

‘You are so so loved by everyone I hope you realised that. I really don’t know what I am going to do without you, I feel so lost, you brought me so much happiness.

Ms Cooke, who works with children with special needs, said she was also on holiday when one of Mr Moran's friends called her and told her about his tragic death. 'I couldn't speak and refused to believe it. I don't know what I am going to do without him – he brought me so much happiness' Ms Cooke, who works with children with special needs, said she was also on holiday when one of Mr Moran's friends called her and told her about his tragic death. 'I couldn't speak and refused to believe it. I don't know what I am going to do without him – he brought me so much happiness'

Ms Cooke, who works with children with special needs, said she was also on holiday when one of Mr Moran’s friends called her and told her about his tragic death. ‘I couldn’t speak and refused to believe it. I don’t know what I am going to do without him – he brought me so much happiness’ 

Police say Chris Moran died instantly after being struck by a lorry and a car in Las Vegas Police say Chris Moran died instantly after being struck by a lorry and a car in Las Vegas

Police say Chris Moran died instantly after being struck by a lorry and a car in Las Vegas

Mr Moran (front right) was hit on the southbound I-15, which runs through the main Vegas strip. The road was shut off between Flamingo Road and Tropicana Avenue while emergency services tended to Mr Moran. Cops and witnesses tried to administer first aid at the roadside but he was pronounced dead at the scene Mr Moran (front right) was hit on the southbound I-15, which runs through the main Vegas strip. The road was shut off between Flamingo Road and Tropicana Avenue while emergency services tended to Mr Moran. Cops and witnesses tried to administer first aid at the roadside but he was pronounced dead at the scene

Mr Moran (front right) was hit on the southbound I-15, which runs through the main Vegas strip. The road was shut off between Flamingo Road and Tropicana Avenue while emergency services tended to Mr Moran. Cops and witnesses tried to administer first aid at the roadside but he was pronounced dead at the scene 

The Leeds United fan, 32, played rugby league for amateur team Westgate Common The Leeds United fan, 32, played rugby league for amateur team Westgate Common

The Leeds United fan, 32, played rugby league for amateur team Westgate Common 

‘You’re going to be missed by everyone, so much. I love you more than words can say, fly high baby.’

Mr Moran, who played rugby league for amateur team Westgate Common, was hit on the southbound I-15, which runs through the main Vegas strip.

The road was shut off between Flamingo Road and Tropicana Avenue while emergency services tended to Mr Moran.

Cops and witnesses tried to administer first aid at the roadside but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nevada State Police released a photo of the site where Mr Moran died and reminded locals and tourists to only used established crossing points. 

Ms Cooke and her boyfriend’s family now face an agonising wait to return his body home from the US and have set up a fundraising page[5] to cover the costs, which has already raised almost £40,000 in donations.

Writing on the page, Ms Cooke said: ‘Our Chris went away on a stag do to Vegas and was involved in a tragic accident and sadly passed away.

‘We are doing everything we can to bring him home to his family. Any other proceeds will go to family. Thank you in advance.’

Since setting up the GoFundMe page, Ms Cooke said she has been overwhelmed with messages about her boyfriend, saying she hopes he knew how loved he was by everyone around him.  

A fundraising page set up to cover the costs of bringing his body back to the UK has already raised almost £40,000 in donations A fundraising page set up to cover the costs of bringing his body back to the UK has already raised almost £40,000 in donations

A fundraising page set up to cover the costs of bringing his body back to the UK has already raised almost £40,000 in donations 

References

  1. ^ Miriam Kuepper (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  2. ^ Las Vegas (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  3. ^ when he was struck on a freeway in the city at 5am on Friday, June 9 (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  4. ^ Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
  5. ^ fundraising page (www.gofundme.com)

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