This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/01/carl-okeeffe-dies-cave-at-kong-adventure-centre-lake-district

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Man dies after getting stuck in cave at indoor climbing centre in Lake District Man dies after getting stuck in cave at indoor climbing centre in Lake District
(29 days later)
Carl O’Keeffe was taken to hospital after incident at Kong Adventure Centre but died from his injuriesCarl O’Keeffe was taken to hospital after incident at Kong Adventure Centre but died from his injuries
The family of a man who died after getting stuck in a cave at an indoor climbing centre in the Lake District say they have been left “broken-hearted”.The family of a man who died after getting stuck in a cave at an indoor climbing centre in the Lake District say they have been left “broken-hearted”.
Carl O’Keeffe, a 49-year-old man from Lancaster, was attending a birthday party with his niece in the Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick, Cumbria on 22 April, Sky News reported. Carl O’Keeffe, a 49-year-old man from Lancaster, was attending a birthday party with his niece in the Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick, Cumbria, on 22 April, Sky News reported.
O’Keeffe was reportedly with four children when he slipped and got stuck inside one of the facility’s caves, remaining there for more than four hours. When staff were unable to rescue him, emergency services were called just after 3pm.O’Keeffe was reportedly with four children when he slipped and got stuck inside one of the facility’s caves, remaining there for more than four hours. When staff were unable to rescue him, emergency services were called just after 3pm.
Members of the police, Cumbria fire and rescue, Keswick mountain rescue, Cumbria Ore Mines rescue unit, Great North air ambulance and the North West ambulance service’s hazardous area response team were all present at the scene.Members of the police, Cumbria fire and rescue, Keswick mountain rescue, Cumbria Ore Mines rescue unit, Great North air ambulance and the North West ambulance service’s hazardous area response team were all present at the scene.
Staff and other visitors helped dismantle parts of the climbing wall to allow access to the caving tunnels.Staff and other visitors helped dismantle parts of the climbing wall to allow access to the caving tunnels.
After the hours-long rescue, O’Keeffe was taken to the intensive care unit at Cumberland infirmary in Carlisle with “crush injuries”.After the hours-long rescue, O’Keeffe was taken to the intensive care unit at Cumberland infirmary in Carlisle with “crush injuries”.
O’Keeffe suffered from multiple-organ failure, according to a Facebook post by his older sister, Olivia Short. She paid tribute her “beautiful, intelligent, fascinating brother”.O’Keeffe suffered from multiple-organ failure, according to a Facebook post by his older sister, Olivia Short. She paid tribute her “beautiful, intelligent, fascinating brother”.
“At 3pm today I sat with Carl and said goodbye forever,” Short wrote on Sunday. “He was my baby brother and over the last few years became my best friend.”“At 3pm today I sat with Carl and said goodbye forever,” Short wrote on Sunday. “He was my baby brother and over the last few years became my best friend.”
Short, who said she had been in the hospital with her brother since the accident, continued: “It became apparent that the injuries were severe and he would not be able to survive. He was then moved to a private room and I was able to stay with him so that he could die with some dignity.Short, who said she had been in the hospital with her brother since the accident, continued: “It became apparent that the injuries were severe and he would not be able to survive. He was then moved to a private room and I was able to stay with him so that he could die with some dignity.
“I’m broken-hearted,” she said. “As are the rest of our family.”“I’m broken-hearted,” she said. “As are the rest of our family.”
A Cumberland council spokesperson told the Mirror: “We have been notified of an incident that took place at the Kong Adventure Centre, Keswick, and are investigating the matter, as the regulating body.”A Cumberland council spokesperson told the Mirror: “We have been notified of an incident that took place at the Kong Adventure Centre, Keswick, and are investigating the matter, as the regulating body.”
A Kong Adventure Centre spokesperson said: “On Saturday 22 April, a member of the public became stuck in the cave system at Kong Adventure.A Kong Adventure Centre spokesperson said: “On Saturday 22 April, a member of the public became stuck in the cave system at Kong Adventure.
“Staff tried to help the man and followed all emergency procedures but it became apparent that outside assistance was needed.“Staff tried to help the man and followed all emergency procedures but it became apparent that outside assistance was needed.
“Fire crew, mountain rescue, cave rescue, paramedics and Kong staff then worked to extricate the casualty, who was taken to Carlisle hospital for further treatment.”“Fire crew, mountain rescue, cave rescue, paramedics and Kong staff then worked to extricate the casualty, who was taken to Carlisle hospital for further treatment.”