A jovial Christmas party at TopGolf in Chigwell, Essex, England in December 2021, tragically ended with the death of 22-year-old Conner Groom, following a prank gone wrong. The incident was ruled as an accidental death, or “misadventure,” by Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes, the inquest concluded on May 23, 2024.
On the night of the incident, Groom and his friends from a bricklaying company were reportedly indulging heavily in alcohol at a driving range bay. The situation escalated when Groom was pushed by his best friend, Ben Gardner, in a prank that resulted in Groom falling over a 12-foot safety net.
Video footage of the incident was described during the inquest by Detective Inspector Lydia George. “Several times, it shows the friends trying to push each other into the safety netting. It was seen as a joke,” she recounted. TopGolf staff had earlier approached the group to stop their boisterous behavior.
Groom was seriously injured from the fall, landing on his head and sustaining a traumatic cervical spinal cord injury and a hypoxic brain injury. Despite immediate medical attention at Royal London Hospital, Groom did not survive his injuries and passed away on January 25, 2022.
Coroner Brookes classified Groom’s death as a misadventure, a legal term in the U.K. used to describe an act that unintentionally and unexpectedly results in death. “The last thing Groom’s friend wanted was for him to die,” stated Brookes, underlining that there was no malice involved in the incident.
Initially, Gardner was arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent but was later released without charges. The investigation disclosed that all attendees at the party were intoxicated and that the playful antics had become uncontrollably reckless. Groom’s foot had momentarily become stuck on the net during his fall, causing him to lose control of his landing.
In response to the tragedy, TopGolf has implemented measures to prevent similar incidents. A safety officer during the inquest testified that the company has enhanced staff training to better handle potential health risks. Guests found to be engaging in risky behavior, such as pushing others into the safety netting, would be immediately expelled from the venue.
Groom’s untimely death has profoundly affected his family and friends. A close friend, who wished to remain unidentified, stated, “Conner was always the life of the party, and he had an infectious laugh that could light up any room. It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”
The incident has highlighted the potential risks associated with combining alcohol and physical activities, especially those involving heights and safety equipment. “It was a night of inebriated but not malicious horseplay,” concluded the coroner’s report, cautioning individuals to be more aware of their actions in recreational settings.
Although Groom’s death was deemed an unfortunate result of a poorly calculated prank, it underscores the potential repercussions of seemingly harmless fun. Groom’s family hopes that the incident will increase awareness about safety in recreational venues and the importance of responsible behavior.
As Groom’s friends and family continue to grieve his loss, they remember him as a lively and loved individual whose life ended abruptly due to a moment of reckless fun. The findings of the inquest underscore the need for heightened awareness and caution in similar environments to avoid future tragedies.
