Organisers of Sydney's Royal Easter Show have closed a freefall ride and launched an investigation after a four-year-old boy was not secured to his seat. An image posted to social media appears to show the ride starting with the boy's harness raised above his head, while other riders' harnesses were locked down.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon. The boy's mother, Sky Boutsani Curtis, told the Daily Telegraph that the ride was stopped when onlookers shouted to alert the operator. Curtis said neither she nor her husband could reach their son after the ride stopped, and another father helped the boy climb down.
Eva Grace, who posted the image on Facebook, warned other parents to check how children are strapped in. The Sydney Royal Easter Show said in a statement that the ride's safety systems functioned well to prevent injury, and the ride will not operate until a full investigation and approval by specialist engineers.
The Free Fall ride is described on the show's website as 'a controlled drop that simulates the fear of falling' with 'a gentle stop bringing them safely back to earth'. In March, a 14-year-old died on a similar ride in Florida after sliding out of his seat with his harness allegedly unbuckled.
