Heartbreaking tribute to ‘devoted dad’ crushed to demise at indoor cave
The sister of a person who was crushed to demise in an indoor cave stated the tragedy left her “traumatised” and praised her brother as a “devoted dad”. Carl O’Keeffe, 49, received caught after slipping inside a slender tunnel for 4 hours on the Kong Adventure Centre in Keswick, Cumbria, on April 22 and suffered horrific crush accidents with the native council now investigating the incident.
His sister Olivia Short was by his aspect when he died every week later.
Described as a “devoted dad” and an expertise climber, Mr O’Keeffe was rushed to hospital in Carlisle, however was finally taken off life help.
Cumberland Council confirmed it might be investigating the circumstances of his demise.
Ms Short advised the Telegraph: “I saw him die, I’m traumatised.”
She stated in a Facebook submit earlier than his demise: “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 learn out by his daughter. And a narrative [his son] selected in regards to the darkish.”
Grief-stricken friends paid their respects to the “devoted dad”. One woman said: “Carl was a beautiful man, devoted dad and fantastic advocate for youngsters and adults who’ve autism. Thinking of his household and kids at this extremely unhappy time.”
Another person added: “Life is so unfair and merciless. My ideas are with you and your loved ones.”
Emergency providers together with six fireplace engine crews and at the least two mountain rescue groups have been scrambled to rescue Mr O’Keeffe after employees on the centre failed to save lots of him from the crush.
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The centre is coming underneath scrutiny after different vacationers reportedly “received caught” 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, however when an individual 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 on your expertise at Kong Adventure and a full apology was given, together with a full refund and another exercise was provided. Again we want to apologise.”
A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: “We have been notified of an incident that occurred on the Kong Adventure Centre, Keswick, and are investigating the matter, because the regulating physique.”
Earlier in the week, a spokesperson for Kong Adventure Centre said: “On Saturday April 22, a member of the general public turned caught within 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 an announcement following Mr O’Keeffe’s demise, a spokesman for the journey 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.”