A father who passed away after being rescued from indoor caves at an adventure centre has been honoured by family and friends. Carl O'Keeffe died yesterday due to injuries sustained at the centre during a birthday party.
The man's heartbroken family say he passed away after the incident on April 22 at Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick in the Lake District. The 49-year-old was reportedly with four children during the party, reports the Mirror.
It was said Carl slipped and became stuck with staff at the centre trying to extricate him before emergency services were called in a rescue mission that took four hours. The dad was then rushed to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle but died a week later.
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 attended the centre.
Sections of a climbing wall at the centre were taken apart in the rescue with customers coming to the aid, allowing access to hidden tunnels with the caves.
Carl's older sister Olivia Short said in a Facebook post in his honour: "At 3pm today 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 Carlisle 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.
"I’m broken hearted. As are the rest of our family."
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 this 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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