Leading cancer expert killed in motorway accident

Jul 31 2008 by George Topp, Lanark & Carluke

A TOP Scots breast cancer expert has been killed in a road accident.

Professor Tim Cooke, a breast surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, was killed in the crash on the M74, near Elvanfoot, on July 20.

The 60-year-old was travelling with his wife Lynn (48), an ENT specialist, and two children, Esme, (18), and Cameron, (14), when his Toyota Land Cruiser left the road.

Mr Cooke died at the scene.

Police said Mrs Cooke and the children were not injured, but were “extremely shaken and upset.”

Mr Cooke was lead consultant breast surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and was St Mungo professor of surgery at Glasgow University. He also held a senior role with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Robert Calderwood, chief operating officer of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, paid tribute to the cancer specialist who had a major part to play in development of services.

“Professor Cooke was a highly-respected surgeon,” he said.

Mr Calderwood added: “He was the associate medical director for surgical services and was instrumental in leading major clinical changes in Glasgow’s hospital services. His loss will be deeply felt by both colleagues and patients.”

Mr Cooke held senior posts at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School and Liverpool University before moving to Glasgow in 1989.

His research included work on the effect of hormones on breast cancer.

His funeral was held at Glasgow Cathedral on Monday.