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Indoor cave director in court over man's death

News imageBBC Paul Cornforth is walking out of the tall, red-brick court building. He has short brown hair and a short beard. He is wearing a blue suit and a striped tie. There is a leafy tree on his right.BBC
Company director Paul Cornforth remains on bail after appearing at Carlisle Crown Court

A company director has appeared in court accused of flouting health and safety law over the death of a man who became stuck in an indoor cave attraction.

Carl O'Keeffe, 49, from Lancaster, died days after he was trapped for hours in a narrow tunnel at Kong Adventure in Keswick. He was freed with help from specialist cave rescuers on 22 April 2023.

The company was charged along with director Paul Cornforth, 63, of Threlkeld Quarry, who appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on Friday.

No pleas were entered to the two charges, but the case was formally moved to Newcastle Crown Court due to Cornforth's association with people working at the Carlisle court centre.

O'Keeffe, who had been at the centre for the birthday party of a family member, was seriously injured and died in hospital days later.

The company faced one charge of failing to ensure persons not in its employment were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

News imageFamily photograph Carl O'Keeffe is smiling brightly at the camera. He has brown hair and a bushy brown beard. He is wearing sunglasses and an orange cap. The people behind him are blurred out.Family photograph
Carl O'Keeffe died in hospital days after being injured inside the indoor cave experience

Cornforth faces a separate charge brought as part of the same prosecution of failing to discharge a duty.

A date for the next hearing in Newcastle was provisionally set for 6 May.

Cornforth remains on bail.

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