King Kong Climbing Centre Ltd has admitted a health and safety breach after a Lancaster father died when he became trapped inside an indoor caving attraction in Cumbria. Carl O'Keeffe, 49, died in April 2023 following the incident at the Keswick centre, which occurred while he was attending an eighth birthday party for a family member.
Emergency Response and Hospitalisation
A major emergency response was carried out, involving six crews from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team and the North West Air Ambulance. Mr O'Keeffe was taken to hospital but died several days later at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.
Legal Proceedings
King Kong Climbing Centre Ltd was charged with failing to ensure Mr O'Keeffe was not exposed to risks to his health and safety, reports Lancs Live. The company pleaded guilty to the charge through director Paul Cornforth, who appeared remotely at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday (July 13).
Cornforth also faces a further charge alleging the offence was committed with his consent or connivance, or was attributable to his neglect. He has previously pleaded not guilty to this charge. He remains on unconditional bail and is due to return to court on September 11, 2026, ITV News reports.
Family Tribute
At the time of his death, Carl's older sister Olivia Short posted on Facebook saying: "At 3pm today I sat with Carl and said goodbye 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."
She added: "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."
