Royal Adelaide Show patrons create memorial for girl, 8, killed on AirMaxx 360 ride

SHOWGOERS have created a memorial for the 8-year-old girl who died after she was thrown 10m from the high-speed AirMax 360 ride yesterday.

SHOWGOERS have created a memorial for the 8-year-old girl who died after she was thrown 10m from the high-speed AirMaxx 360 ride yesterday.

Visitors to the show have started placing flowers and teddy bears at the spot where the girl landed critically injuring herself about midday yesterday, but the memorial was later moved to a fenced area adjacent to the ride.

The girl later died at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

SafeWork SA today said the ride, which was shut down immediately after the incident, would stay at the showgrounds for weeks as the complex investigtion continues.

SafeWork SA executive director Bryan Russell said the investigation was expected to “take some time given the nature of the incident, number of witnesses involved and technical expertise required”.

“SafeWork SA will not be releasing further details while the investigation is underway given

information and items gathered may later be used as evidence in legal proceedings,” he said.

He said additional safety inspections on other rides were also taking place.

Among those paying their respects earlier today were the Redman family from Mile End, who brought lilies from their garden in memory of the girl.

“We weren’t sure if we would come here today, it felt a bit inappropriate because of what happened yesterday,” Claire Redman said.

“But we had already promised our kids, so we tried to think of something we could do to acknowledge what had happened.”

The couple had brought along their sons Finn, 7, Tom, 5, and Tulley, 2.

Mrs Redman said they would not be going on any rides today.

This morning, Kevin Quinn, who is from Canberra and in Adelaide visiting his daughter, won a toy on a side show for the victim.

“I just came here today and I thought I would put it down to acknowledge her memory,” he said.

“I heard about what happened and wanted to do something.”

Shawni Gregory, 21, of Munno Para West, and her best friend Katharina Ritson, of Smithfield, 23, were working at the show yesterday when they were told of the tragedy.

“We’ve been up all night thinking about it, we couldn’t sleep,” Ms Gregory said.

“We didn’t want to come to work today.”

The pair picked up flowers on their way to work and delivered them to the memorial.

“I feel like it’s a terrible tragedy for a family who would have come to the show for a good, fun day,” Ms Ritson said.

“A tragedy like this happens and it just makes you feel sick.”

The pair said they would not be going on anymore rides.

Jacqui Stevens, of Wayville, said she was in two minds about attending the show today, but had promised her children.

“A friend of mine actually chose not to come today because she was so upset about it all,” she said.

She said she was watching safety precautions on each ride carefully before her children went on.

“My son wants to go on these rides which is causing me some anxiety.

“He’s OK, but I’m certainly watching how they are restrained and I think they are being more vigilant today.”

Another mother with young children at the show today, Sonia Everett, of Munno Para West, said she was analysing rides carefully before allowing her eight-year-old daughter to buy a ticket.

“I’m looking at them more closely and making sure I feel they are safe,” she said.

Ms Everett said she had thought about not attending but had not wanted to disappoint her children.

“If it was just me I wouldn’t have come and I won’t go on any rides,” she said.