In December 2021, a festive gathering at TopGolf in Chigwell, Essex, England took a fatal turn when 22-year-old bricklayer Conner Groom died as a result of a prank gone wrong. The Essex senior coroner, Lincoln Brookes, declared the incident accidental after an inquest that concluded in May 2024.
According to reports, Groom and his companions were partaking in a Christmas celebration at the driving range bay, where they were drinking heavily. As the night wore on, a harmless prank turned lethal. Groom was pushed by his best friend, Ben Gardner, resulting in a fall of over 12 feet from a safety net to the ground, landing on his head.
Detective Inspector Lydia George, who attended the inquest, detailed the events captured on video. “Several times, it shows the friends trying to push each other into the safety netting. It was seen as a joke,” she related. TopGolf staff had previously asked the group to cease their boisterous behavior.
Groom suffered critical injuries from the fall, including a severe cervical spinal cord injury and a hypoxic brain injury. Despite immediate transfer to the Royal London Hospital and a month of intensive care, Groom succumbed to his injuries on January 25, 2022.
Coroner Brookes classified Groom’s death as a “misadventure,” a UK term for deaths resulting from an unexpected and unintentional outcome of a deliberate human act. “The last thing Groom’s friend wanted was for him to die,” Brookes stated, emphasizing the absence of any harmful intent.
Although Gardner was initially arrested under suspicion of causing serious bodily harm without intent, the charges were later dismissed. The investigation revealed that everyone at the party was significantly intoxicated and that the jovial atmosphere had escalated beyond control. As Groom fell, his foot briefly tangled in the net, leaving him unable to control his landing.
Following the incident, TopGolf has made substantial changes to avert similar situations. A safety officer testified during the inquest, stating that the company has “enhanced its staff training around potential health risks” to ensure better surveillance and intervention. Guests engaging in risky actions, such as forcing someone into the safety netting, will be instantly ejected from the venue.
Groom’s untimely death profoundly affected his friends and family. A close friend, choosing 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 underscored the risks of combining alcohol with physical activities, particularly those involving heights and safety equipment. The coroner’s report concluded, “It was a night of inebriated but not malicious horseplay,” urging caution in recreational settings.
Friends and family continue to grieve Groom’s loss, remembering him as a lively and cherished individual whose life ended abruptly due to a moment of reckless fun. The inquest’s findings underscore the necessity for increased awareness and caution in similar settings to avert future tragedies.
