The sister of a man who was crushed to death in an indoor cave said the tragedy left her “traumatised” and praised her brother as a “devoted dad”. Carl O’Keeffe, 49, got stuck after slipping inside a narrow tunnel for four hours at the Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick, Cumbria, on April 22 and suffered horrific crush injuries with the local council now investigating the incident.
His sister Olivia Short was by his side when he died a week later.
Described as a “devoted dad” and an experience climber, Mr O’Keeffe was rushed to hospital in Carlisle, but was eventually taken off life support.
Cumberland Council confirmed it would be investigating the circumstances of his death.
Ms Short told the Telegraph: “I saw him die, I’m traumatised.”
She said in a Facebook post before his death: “The palliative care team are now taking care of his pain. He is no longer distressed. He has brief lucid moments but he is no longer able to talk.
“He listened to a poem read out by his daughter. And a story [his son] chose about the dark.”
Grief-stricken friends paid their respects to the “devoted dad”. One woman said: “Carl was a lovely guy, devoted dad and wonderful advocate for children and adults who have autism. Thinking of his family and children at this incredibly sad time.”
Another person added: “Life is so unfair and cruel. My thoughts are with you and your family.”
Emergency services including six fire engine crews and at least two mountain rescue teams were scrambled to rescue Mr O’Keeffe after staff at the centre failed to save him from the crush.
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The centre is coming under scrutiny after other tourists reportedly “got stuck” while climbing there.
Several complaints had been raised before out of concern for the company’s safety practices, with one reviewer on TripAdvisor claiming it was “not a matter of if, but when a person is critically injured.”
Another posted in 2017 that their partner – who was 5ft 10in – got stuck while caving with their 12-year-old daughter.
The reviewer said they had been allowed into the cave with “no supervision.”
The centre responded on TripAdvisor by saying: “We are so sorry for your experience at Kong Adventure and a full apology was given, along with a full refund and an alternative activity was offered. Again we would like to apologise.”
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 April 22, 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.”
In a statement following Mr O’Keeffe’s death, a spokesman for the adventure centre added: “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.”
