Father dies eight days after getting stuck in indoor cave at tourist attraction: Tragedy at climbing wall as father, 49, succumbs to injuries suffered when he became trapped for four hours while playing with children
- Carl O’Keeffe had been rushed to hospital but sadly died due to ‘severe injuries’
A father has tragically died eight days after getting stuck in an indoor cave at a Lake District tourist attraction.
Carl O’Keeffe, 49, was playing with children at a birthday party inside the Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick, Cumbria on April 22 when he slipped and got stuck inside a narrow tunnel.
The experienced climber suffered crush injuries after he got stuck inside the cave for four hours.
After staff at the centre were unable to rescue him, Keswick Mountain Rescue, air ambulance, fire crews and cave rescuers all scrambled to the scene where they rescued him by dismantling sections of the climbing wall panels to gain access to the hidden tunnels.
Mr O’Keeffe was rushed to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle where he remained until his death yesterday.
Tragically Carl O’Keeffe died from ‘severe injuries’ following his ordeal in the cave
Mr O’Keeffe became stuck in an indoor cave at the facility (Pictured: a photo of a closed cave at the facility in 2020)
Paying tribute, his sister Olivia Short, said: ‘At 3pm today [Sunday] I sat with Carl and said good bye forever.
‘He was my baby brother and over the last few years became my best friend. I loved him dearly and we were in contact daily doing word challenges and exchanging weird facts of nature. I also got to spend alternate weekends with him and his children.
‘I have been with him since his accident in Keswick on Saturday 22nd April. he was taken to Carlise hospital intensive care with crush injuries.
‘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.
‘Adam was with me and Carl during those last days. He was my support and my rock, he helped me get through this unbearable time. I’m broken-hearted. As are the rest of our family.’
Keswick Mountain Rescue, who attended the scene alongside the air ambulance, fire crews and cave rescuers, said he got stuck in a ‘narrow tunnel’ as he attempted to turn at Kong’s climbing wall.
‘A multi-agency response was initiated and fire and rescue, police, ambulance and Keswick MRT were quickly on scene.
‘As this was a cave rescue/confined space type of operation the Keswick MRT leader called in Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit (COMRU), and the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) also attended.
‘While the emergency services were deciding on evacuation plans the climbing wall staff, assisted by visiting climbers, started dismantling sections of the wall to aid access to tunnels hidden behind the climbing wall panels.
‘With time passing there was growing concern for the trapped man’s health as he was in a static position in a confined space.
‘With this in mind the Keswick MR team doctor called in the GNAAS Helimed resources.
‘After some fantastic work by the climbing wall staff, climbers, COMRU, and fire and rescue (with their specialist cutting equipment), the man was released from his captivity.
‘He was then transferred by land ambulance to Carlisle hospital for further checks and treatment.’
The terrifying incident happened at Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick, Cumbria
Mr O’Keeffe became stuck whilst climbing at the popular Cumbria attraction
Climbing wall staff, assisted by visiting climbers, dismantled sections of the climbing wall to aid access to tunnels hidden behind the climbing wall panels.
He was rushed to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle where he remained until his death.
Mr O’Keeffe’s family paid tribute to the devoted father, saying: ‘Carl was a devoted parent and he will leave a huge hole in their lives.
‘He was a strong advocate for the neurodiverse community. He taught people to learn what adjustments they needed in life and to not only accept them but to live them.
‘He was often seen in dark glasses and a fedora hat as he was photophobic. He had a brilliant mind and was in the process of applying to start an astrophysics PHD.
‘He was fascinated by solar storms and had been predicting the one that happened this week while he slept. He spent years having the NASA Hubble photos tattooed onto his arm.
‘We cannot stress enough what an amazing job the emergency services did in very difficult circumstances.’
The family said over 50 people were involved in the rescue.
The incident was attended by six crews from Cumbria Fire and Rescue, police, Keswick Mountain Rescue, Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit, Great North Air Ambulance and the Northwest Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team.
A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said ‘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.’
Earlier in the week, a spokesperson for Kong Adventure Centre 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.
‘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.’
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