A man who was rushed to hospital after getting trapped in the indoor caves at an adventure park has tragically died. Carl O'Keeffe was rescued from Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick following the incident on April 22.
However, his family announced earlier today the 49-year-old had passed away from his injuries. Carl had reportedly been at the centre for a birthday with four children when he slipped and found himself stuck.
The Mirror reports staff at the centre initially tried to rescue him and then emergency services were called. 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.
Sections of the climbing wall were dismantled, with the help of customers, to allow access to hidden tunnels. The rescue effort took four hours, with Carl rushed to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle where he died a week later.
Carl's older sister Olivia Short said in a Facebook post on Saturday: "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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