Man Dies After Fall During Topgolf Party

A tragic accident happened at a Topgolf venue in Essex. A man fell from a golf bay during a party and later died. Officials looked into the safety rules at the place.
By Newsroom | Accidents, Entertainment Venues |

The circumstances surrounding the death of Conner Groom, a 22-year-old man who fell from a Topgolf bay in Essex, are under examination. The incident, which occurred during a Christmas party, has led to a review of safety protocols at the venue.

The core event involved a prank where Conner Groom was pushed by a friend, resulting in a fall from a driving bay and a fatal spinal injury.

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Incident Overview

Conner Groom died on January 25, 2022, approximately a month after a fall from a Topgolf driving bay. The incident occurred at a Christmas party where Mr. Groom and his friends were reportedly consuming alcohol.

  • The group had engaged in playful pushing incidents prior to the fatal event.

  • Mr. Groom himself had pushed a friend earlier.

  • At approximately 22:08, as Mr. Groom prepared to take a golf shot, a friend stated an intention to push him.

  • This push resulted in Mr. Groom falling over the safety netting of the bay, a drop of approximately 3.7 meters (12 feet).

  • He landed face-first on the driving range below.

  • Mr. Groom suffered a traumatic spinal injury and later died in hospital.

Official Proceedings

An inquest into Mr. Groom's death has shed light on the sequence of events and has prompted discussions about responsibility and safety measures.

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Detective Inspector Lydia George, speaking at the inquest, detailed the events, noting that video footage showed friends "jokingly trying to push each other onto the safety net." She stated, "It was plainly seen as a joke."

DI George also indicated that "staff had warned the party on several occasions to stop ‘messing around.’"

Key Details and Evidence

Multiple reports corroborate the essential facts of the incident.

  • Victim: Conner Groom, 22, from Clacton-on-Sea.

  • Location: Topgolf, Chigwell, Essex.

  • Date of Fall: Approximately December 2021 (inferred from "Christmas Party" and death date of Jan 25, 2022).

  • Cause of Fall: A push from a friend during what was described as a prank.

  • Injury: Traumatic spinal injury.

  • Fatal Outcome: Death occurred approximately five weeks after the fall.

  • Height of Fall: Approximately 3.7 meters (12 feet).

  • Circumstances: The group was reportedly "drinking heavily."

  • Prior Incidents: Mr. Groom had been pushed onto safety netting twice earlier, and he had pushed a friend.

Analysis of Actions and Intent

The nature of the interaction between Mr. Groom and his friends, as well as the role of Topgolf staff, has been a focal point.

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The Prank Dynamic

"A number of times it shows the friends trying to push each other into the safety netting. It was plainly seen as a joke," DI George stated.

Video footage apparently captured friends playfully attempting to push each other into the safety nets. The push that led to Mr. Groom's fall was delivered by a friend who stated an intent to push him onto the net. It is reported that the intention of the friend was for Mr. Groom to land on the safety netting.

Staff Awareness and Warnings

Evidence suggests that Topgolf staff were aware of the group's boisterous behavior.

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  • DI George indicated that staff had issued warnings to the group about their behavior.

  • Was the nature of these warnings sufficient given the context of the venue and the reported alcohol consumption?

Prosecution Considerations

The decision regarding further action against the friend who pushed Mr. Groom has been a sensitive point.

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  • DI George confirmed that Essex Police consulted with the Crown Prosecution Service and Mr. Groom’s family regarding prosecution of the friend.

  • The parents of Conner Groom did not support a prosecution of his friend.

Safety Improvements

Following Mr. Groom's death, Topgolf has reportedly taken steps to enhance its safety procedures.

  • Graham Jarvis, a health and safety officer for Epping Forest District Council, stated that Topgolf had improved its staff training concerning potential health risks.

Conclusion

The death of Conner Groom is a tragic consequence of a prank that went grievously wrong. The inquest has established the sequence of events, highlighting the role of alcohol, playful interactions escalating, and a miscalculated push. While the immediate perpetrator's actions are understood within the context of a prank, the incident has also brought attention to the responsibility of venues like Topgolf to manage the safety of patrons, particularly when alcohol is involved and behavior becomes unruly. The review of Topgolf's staff training suggests an acknowledgment of the need for enhanced safety measures. The lack of support for prosecuting the friend from Mr. Groom's parents appears to have been a decisive factor in that particular avenue of action.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened at Topgolf?
A man fell from a golf bay during a party and later died from his injuries. This happened after a friend pushed him as a joke.
Q: Was alcohol involved?
Reports say the group was drinking alcohol during the party.
Q: Did Topgolf staff know about the behavior?
Yes, staff had warned the group about messing around.
Q: Will the friend who pushed him be charged?
The police and prosecutor talked to the family, but the parents did not want to press charges against their son's friend.
Q: Did Topgolf change its safety rules?
Yes, Topgolf has said they improved staff training on health and safety.