A dad rescued after becoming stuck in caves at an indoor adventure centre tragically died of his injuries.
Carl O'Keeffe's heartbroken family said he passed away at 3pm yesterday (April 30) following the incident at Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick. The 49-year-old, from Lancaster, had visited the centre for a birthday party on April 22.
He was reportedly with four children when he slipped and found himself stuck. Emergency services were called after staff initially tried to free him.
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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 all attended the scene, reports LancsLive.
The rescue operation took around four hours. Sections of the climbing wall were dismantled, with the help of customers, to allow access to hidden tunnels. Once freed, Carl was rushed to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle where he died a week later.
Carl's older sister Olivia Short said in a Facebook post on Sunday: "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 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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