In December 2021, a holiday outing at TopGolf in Chigwell, Essex, England ended in tragedy when a prank led to the accidental death of 22-year-old Conner Groom. The incident was ruled accidental following an inquest by Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes, which concluded on May 23, 2024.
The event took place during a Christmas party, during which Groom and his friends were reportedly enjoying themselves and drinking heavily at a driving range bay. As the evening progressed, what started as harmless fun took a deadly turn. Groom was pushed by his best friend, Ben Gardner, as a prank, causing him to fall over 12 feet from a safety net onto the ground below.
Detective Inspector Lydia George, who was present during the inquest, described the scene captured in video footage. “Several times, it shows the friends trying to push each other into the safety netting. It was seen as a joke,” she said. The staff at TopGolf had approached the group earlier, requesting them to stop their roughhousing.
The fall resulted in Groom sustaining severe injuries, including a traumatic cervical spinal cord injury and a hypoxic brain injury. Despite being rushed to Royal London Hospital and receiving intensive care for a month, Groom died from his injuries on January 25, 2022.
Coroner Brookes’ verdict classified the death as “misadventure,” a term used in the U.K. to describe deaths resulting from a deliberate human act that goes wrong unexpectedly and unintentionally. “The last thing Groom’s friend wanted was for him to die,” Brookes stated, emphasizing that the act was meant to be a joke without any malicious intent.
Gardner was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm without intent, but the charges were later dropped. The investigation revealed that all at the work party were significantly inebriated and that the high spirits and horseplay had gotten out of hand. Groom’s foot had become momentarily stuck on the net as he fell, leaving him with no control over how he landed.
In the aftermath of the incident, TopGolf has taken significant steps to prevent similar occurrences. A safety officer testified during the inquest, noting that the company has “improved its staff training around potential health risks” to ensure better monitoring and intervention during such activities. Any guests caught engaging in risky behavior, such as pushing someone into the safety netting, would be immediately removed from the premises.
Groom’s death has left a lasting impact on his family and friends. One close friend, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared, “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 inquest shed light on the dangers of mixing alcohol with physical activities, particularly those involving heights and safety equipment. “It was a night of inebriated but not malicious horseplay,” the coroner’s report concluded, urging people to be mindful of their actions, especially in recreational settings.
While the accident was deemed a result of misjudged fun, it serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of seemingly harmless pranks. Groom’s family has expressed their hope that the incident will raise awareness about safety at recreational venues and the importance of acting responsibly.
Groom’s friends and family continue to mourn his loss, remembering him as a vibrant and beloved individual whose life was cut short by a moment of careless fun. The inquest’s findings highlight the need for greater awareness and precaution in similar environments to prevent future tragedies.