Two killed in mishap at lake

February 7, 2011

LAKE J.B. THOMAS — A boating accident and near-freezing temperatures took the lives of two Stanton women over the weekend.

Melody Cook, 46, and her daughter-in-law, Erin Cook, 28, died after their boat capsized Saturday during a family fishing trip at Lake J.B. Thomas.
According to investigators, the women were in a boat with Melody's husband, Kyle, and the couple's step-son, Kevin. When the boat capsized, Kevin, Melody and Erin swam for shore in the frigid water. Authorities said the temperature was about 34 degrees at the time of the accident.

Kevin Cook and his wife reached shore but she later died of hypothermia at Cogdell Memorial Hospital in Snyder. Melody Cook did not make it to shore. Her body was recovered Sunday morning about 8:40.

Kyle Cook stayed with the boat and was rescued. He was airlifted to a Lubbock hospital, where he was treated for extreme hypothermia. Both he and Kevin have since been released from the hospital.