Dad, 49, who got trapped in adventure centre’s indoor cave for more than four hours dies from his injuries

A FATHER-of three who got trapped in an indoor adventure cave for more than four hours has died.

Carl O’Keeffe, 49, from Lancaster died on Sunday, April 30 following the incident last weekend.

Mr O’Keeffe was at Kong Adventure Centre, Keswick, in the Lake District on Saturday, April 22, celebrating a family members birthday.

According to reports Mr O’Keeffe slipped and became stuck inside one of the caves.

Staff at the rescue centre were unable to rescue him and emergency services were called just after 3pm.

Teams 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 the scene.

They eventually managed to reach the experienced climber by dismantling sections of the climbing wall and gaining access to the tunnels.

Mr O’Keeffe was rescued after four hours and rushed to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle with crush injuries.

He was admitted to the intensive care unit, but his devastated family confirmed he passed away at 3pm on Sunday, April 30.

A tribute to Mr O’Keeffe from his family said: “Carl was a devoted parent and he will leave a huge hole in their lives.

“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.”

His sister, Olivia Short posted a tribute to her beloved brother on Facebook, she wrote: “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.”

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”.

She added: “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.”

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.”