A FATHER OF THREE DIES after being imprisoned in an indoor adventure cave for more than four hours.
Carl O’Keeffe, 49, of Lancaster, died on Sunday, April 30th, as a result of the event last weekend.
On Saturday, April 22, Mr. O’Keeffe was at the Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick, Lake District, celebrating a family member’s birthday.
Mr. O’Keeffe slid and became trapped within one of the caverns, according to accounts.
The rescue center’s staff were unable to save him, and emergency services were summoned shortly after 3 p.m.
The situation was attended by 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.
They ultimately got to the skilled climber by destroying pieces of the climbing wall and entering the tunnels.
After four hours, Mr O’Keeffe was recovered and sent to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle with crush injuries.
He was admitted to the intensive care unit, but his grieving family reported his death on Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m.
“Carl was a devoted parent and he will leave a huge hole in their lives,” said Mr O’Keeffe’s family in a tribute.
“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.”
“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.”
She went on to say that she had been with her brother since his accident last Saturday, and it became “apparent his injuries were severe and he would not be able to survive”.
“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.”
A spokesperson for Kong Adventure Centre said: “All the staff at Kong Adventure are shocked and saddened to hear this terrible news.
“Our thoughts at this time are with the family, friends and everyone involved.”