Sydney Royal Easter Show Ride Shut Down After Photo Shows 'Unrestrained' Boy

The Sydney Royal Easter Show has launched an investigation after a concerning photo appeared to show an unrestrained child on a ride.

The ‘Free Fall’ ride has been shut down, after the a viral Facebook post revealed the worrying incident, which shows the boy seated on the ride and his safety harness still in the air.

“Be careful parents! Sydney Royal Easter Show today,” wrote Eva Grace in her photo caption. “The bar was never put down and she started the ride with no notice or checks. Make sure you’re watching the way they strap your child into a ride because clearly some of these operators are not doing their job and duty of care! Shameful no excuses!”

She said patrons had to scream for the operator to stop the ride.

In response, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW released a statement saying, “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 safety systems of the ride functioned well to prevent any injury occurring and the ride will not operate again until a full investigation has been completed and the ride has been approved by specialist engineers.”

Two weeks ago a 14-year-old boy died after falling from a similar ride at a theme park in Florida.

40 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 21 Aug 2024
    10:52 am
Not sure how something like this even happens

- - Lividanke said
  - 19 Aug 2024
    2:15 pm
I find this so scary, every parents worst nightmare!

- - Mom7534689 said
  - 08 Jun 2022
    9:19 am
This is why I don’t like rides

- - Sevinc68 said
  - 07 Jun 2022
    12:37 pm
every parenta worst nightmare! I do not like rides, you just never know. Seeing things like this scare me even more

- - Zmijka86 said
  - 26 May 2022
    8:42 pm
That never should happened. I am glad he was ok.

- - Aleisha93 said
  - 19 Apr 2022
    1:11 am
Absolutely terrifying. I worry about letting Master 7 on any rides by himself for this very reason.
I still get in the bumper cars with him because I want to be able to put my arm around him for cushioning!

- - BellaB said
  - 18 Apr 2022
    6:36 pm
Seeing this has given my kids quite a fright.

- - tessie said
  - 16 Apr 2022
    11:25 am
Was it operator error for not locking it in place or was it a problem with the safety catch that holds it in place I wonder. Either way it was still a dangerous situation and I’m glad the ride was stopped before a disaster happened. What is wrong with the good old seat belt? Maybe close down all dangerous rides aimed at the younger children.

- - Ellen said
  - 16 Apr 2022
    5:14 am
Maybe all these dangerous rides should be banned for good

- - alyise_ said
  - 15 Apr 2022
    2:08 pm
It just seems like there’s more to the story, would love the parents input

- - My Little Buttons said
  - 13 Apr 2022
    2:07 pm
Oh how on earth did this happen scary as

- - Pollylou said
  - 13 Apr 2022
    10:20 am
So very frightening for this family.

- - rovermum said
  - 13 Apr 2022
    9:37 am
OMG! How does this happen. I thought the ride attendant went along and checked or locked everyone in.

- - RachelKate93 said
  - 12 Apr 2022
    11:01 pm
I have so many questions about this whole situation. I really feel for the parents, can’t imagine how stressful it would have been trying to get the boys down!

- - Mum31 said
  - 12 Apr 2022
    9:43 pm
Omg how scary for that little boy, glad he wasn’t seriously hurt.

- - Amanda Holland said
  - 12 Apr 2022
    8:29 pm
I thought all restraints/harnesses were suppose to be locked before the ride could operate? I’ve seen operators close empty seats before starting a ride.
I’m glad someone noticed before it was too late
- Ellen replied
  
  13 Apr 2022 , 3:06 am
  Yes I thought so too. These aren’t things to be forgetful or make mistakes with.
- - Forgetful Mumma said
  - 12 Apr 2022
    6:28 pm
How horrifying! I hope they investigate the person running it. I know we can all be forgetful/have a bad day from time to time, but not when other people’s lives are on the line!
So glad it turned out to have a happy ending.
Sad to read about the child in Florida
- Ellen replied
  
  15 Apr 2022 , 8:32 am
  Very sad indeed. And what ever investigations are done, it doesn’t bring this boy back.
- - mom485263 said
  - 12 Apr 2022
    6:27 pm
Could have been much worse, thankfully it wasn’t.

- - mom109199 said
  - 12 Apr 2022
    12:37 pm
So scary. Clearly someone wasn’t doing their job and checking that everyone was strapped in properly.

- - mom101628 said
  - 12 Apr 2022
    11:38 am
It seems that once a ride has been used for a while with no problems, then complacency filters in and all the checks and balances are done carelessly if at all. With this sort of ride, I thought that all the harnesses had to be down and locked before the ride could start. Something went horribly wrong here – and thank heavens there wasn’t an accident due to the parents and others in the crowd actions.