Overview
- The company King Kong Climbing Centre Ltd pleaded guilty to a charge that it failed to ensure a visitor was not exposed to health and safety risks, a plea entered on Monday 13 July 2026 at Newcastle Crown Court.
- The charge relates to the April 2023 incident in which Carl O’Keeffe became trapped inside an indoor caving tunnel at the Keswick centre, was rescued by multiple agencies and died days later in hospital from severe crush injuries.
- A major multi-agency response to the April 22, 2023 emergency involved six Cumbria Fire and Rescue crews, Keswick Mountain Rescue volunteers and the North West Air Ambulance, and staff dismantled parts of the climbing wall to reach hidden tunnels.
- Company director Paul Cornforth pleaded the guilty plea on behalf of the business but faces a separate allegation that the offence involved his consent, connivance or neglect; he remains on unconditional bail and must return to court on 11 September 2026.
- A company conviction could bring fines and other enforcement steps under UK health and safety law, sentencing dates have yet to be set and the September hearing will determine whether a director faces personal sanctions or charges proceed to trial.