A ride at the Sydney Royal Easter Show has been shut down after an issue with its harness yesterday afternoon.
The popular Free Fall ride was seen to be operating a few metres off the ground with an unrestrained child without the safety bar in place. According to media reports, this prompted onlookers to “scream” at operators for the ride to be stopped.
Another onlooker photographed the incident, with a group of children on the ride, and posted it to social media.
It showed a four-year-old boy sitting on the right side of the ride unsecured by its harness.
The boy’s mother said the ride had started to rise when onlookers yelled to alert staff of the danger.
The ride was then stopped with the riders in mid-air.
Sky Boustani Curtis told Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph “the girl (operating the Free Fall) stopped the ride but didn’t get out of her booth so another father ended up getting him to climb down to him.
“Myself and my husband were not tall enough to reach him.
“He’s 4 years old. They simply did not pull his harness down didn’t check him.”
Another witness said operators were unaware the child was unrestrained in the moments before the ride was to be launched.
Eva Levy told The Daily Telegraph “they hit emergency stop but it seems like the operator couldn’t bring the ride down and the (someone) actually had to come up there and have his son jump into his arms.
“The operator had no idea the child wasn’t secured.
“Onlookers had to scream for the ride to be stopped.”
Following the incident, Sydney Royal Easter Show organiser issued a statement saying the ride will be closed indefinitely. This was also posted on Instagram (see above).
It advised “the safety of patrons at the Show is paramount and we have shut down the kids’ Free Fall ride following a reported issue with a harness."
The Sydney Royal Easter Show website describes the Free Fall, located in the 'Kid's Carnival' area of the show, as “ideal for the young thrill seeker” and that children taller than 110cms can ride without an adult.
As with any amusement ride incident the matter has been widely reported in mainstream media.
A likely investigation into the incident will determine whether its was a result of a ride malfunction or operator error.
Main image: A child's harness was not secured on a ride at the Sydney Royal Easter Show yesterday. Source: Facebook/Eva Grace.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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