Shropshire Star

Isle fall builder's gift of life

A Shropshire builder who died while building his dream home in the sun on the Greek island of Crete has help saved lives by donating his organs.

Published

Robert HolbrookA Shropshire builder who died while building his dream home in the sun on the Greek island of Crete has help saved lives by donating his organs.

Robert Holbrook, 56, from Sundorne, Shrewsbury, died on Wednesday three days after falling at his villa. He was on holiday with his wife Shirley when he fell.

Despite efforts to save him, the self-employed builder's life support machine was switched off.

His sister Jenny Taylor, from Wellington, said her brother, known as Bob, was a hard working builder and a real character.

After launching an emotional appeal to find their lost brother, Jim, to tell him about his brother's death, Mrs Taylor said: "We don't know when the funeral will be but Bob's donated his organs. Now we just need to find Jim as soon as possible.

"We haven't heard anything yet but there's still time," she said.

Mr Holbrook hit the headlines in November 2002 when he bravely dived into the River Severn to rescue his dog Oscar.