Utah man killed in London attack was hit on bridge
WEST BOUNTIFUL: A Utah couple was enjoying the final day of their European trip to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary when the pair were among the crowd of people on Westminster Bridge who were struck by an SUV.
Kurt Cochran was one of four victims killed and his wife, Melissa Cochran, was among dozens who were injured, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the family through a Mormon church spokesman.
Pictures on Kurt’s Facebook page show the couple enjoying their sightseeing travels through Europe prior to the tragic events. In one post, there are pictures of German architecture beneath a caption, “Trier Germany. Another WOW!” In another, he is shown smiling and holding a German beer under the caption: “After a long day of sightseeing.”
Family and friends said they’re heartbroken over the loss of a loving husband and father who loved music. For the last decade, the couple ran a recording studio in their basement where he helped musicians develop their talents. The couple lived in a middle class neighbourhood just outside Salt Lake City.
Bret Layton started crying while talking about his longtime friend and business associate outside the Cochrans’ house where he went on Thursday to check on things. Mr Layton said he ran the recording studio with Kurt.
“He’s one of those guys: You just know you want him to be your friend within five minutes ... He was just an overall good guy to everybody,” Mr Layton said.
Melissa’s brother, Clint Payne, said through a verified GoFundMe account webpage that the couple was among the first hit by a vehicle on the Westminster Bridge. “Kurt was a good man and a loving husband to our sister and daughter, Melissa,” the statement said.
Melissa Cochran is still in hospital. She suffered a broken leg, broken rib and a cut and bruises, said friend Mike Murphy.
Mr Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Guitars in Bountiful, said Kurt would come into his shop regularly to buy recording equipment for his basement studio where he tried to help young bands get started by charging only a small fee for them to use the studio. “He loved music,” Mr Murphy said. “He was always around when there were music things going on.”
Kurt was a good dad and likeable guy who will be missed dearly by his two sons, said Danny Wiley, the stepfather to Kurt’s sons. “It’s devastating,” Mr Wiley said. “He was a good guy. Everybody liked him.”