Deklan Babington-MacDonald, injured playing with a toy from Sea World has died

A six-year-old boy left critically injured after playing with a toy bought from Sea World has died after his life support was turned off on Friday.

A heartbroken Gold Coast family has said goodbye to a six-year-old boy who had his life support turned off five days after an alleged mishap with a toy sold at Sea World theme park.

Deklan Babington-MacDonald had been in intensive care since ANZAC Day after he was critically injured playing with a plush penguin attached to a leash with a stiff pole in it.

On Friday, close family and friends gathered in a room at Queensland Children’s Hospital where the brave six-year-old and only child’s life support was withdrawn.

Extended family confirmed Deklan’s passing on Monday.

“Please respect the families (sic) privacy and grief at this time,” they said in a statement.

“Any details of a memorial will be communicated when appropriate.

“They are reading the beautiful messages of support and love, and appreciate all the kindness and donations.”

Deklan Babington MacDonald was on life support at Queensland Children’s Hospital for five days before his life support was withdrawn. Picture: Facebook via NCA NewsWire

Family say he may have become caught in the leash after the pole came loose, with one relative saying the situation turned desperate very quickly.

“It broke and turned into basically a long rope with a loop on the end. In a very short amount of time Deklan became entangled,” cousin Lea Williams told NCA NewsWire.

Doctors had told his mother Lauren Babington overnight on Wednesday Deklan’s life support would be turned off within 48 hours as he was “beyond recovery”.

The family claim Deklan was critically injured after playing with a toy purchased from Sea World. Picture: Supplied

Village Roadshow Theme Parks (VRTP) spokesman said the company was “distressed” to learn about Deklan’s tragic accident.

VRTP pulled the product, which was sold exclusively at Sea World, from shelves while police have seized his toy.

More than $12,000 has been donated to help with the young boy’s funeral costs while the news of the tragedy has seen an outpouring of grief on social media.

“I just read the news and can’t tell you how sad I feel for little Declan and his parents and family,” wrote Katharine Barr on the Supporting Deklan Facebook page.

Deklan’s family gathered at Queensland Children's Hospital to say their goodbyes on Friday following an accident at his Gold Coast home on Anzac Day. Photo: Supplied

“Such a devastating thing to happen and my heart really goes out to you all.”

Carly-Rise Hulewicz posted: “I have no words. What utter heartbreak. I'm so, so sorry.”

Deklan’s cousin Lea Williams said Deklan’s family were “angry” over the mishap and have called on police to investigate the incident and the safety of the toy.

The boy was critically injured by a toy, similar to the one pictured, with the family describing the object as a ‘penguin on a harness attached to a stiff lead.’ Picture: Supplied

Police have confirmed they attended a Nerang address on Anzac Day following reports a six-year-old child was “found unresponsive”.

However, they would not comment on whether the toy had been seized or if an investigation was underway.

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident,” they told NCA Newswire.

“There is no further information we can release about the incident at this time.” 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is working with Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to examine safety issues surrounding the toy.

A sample of the penguin was taken from Sea World on Thursday by officers from OFT Queensland

“The ACCC is always saddened to hear of a death or serious injury or illness of a child involving a consumer product,” an ACCC spokesperson told NCA NewsWire.

Sea World management have been interviewed in relation to a toy that is being blamed for the death of Deklan Babington-MacDonald. Picture Facebook

“The ACCC is aware of the reports about a SeaWorld plush toy being associated with a tragic incident involving a young boy in Queensland.”

The ACCC spokesperson said any supplier of a toy associated with injury, illness or death was obliged to notify them.

Sea World management were also interviewed, an OFT representative told NCA NewsWire.

“The Office of Fair Trading is aware of an incident that resulted in a child being admitted to intensive care on life support,” they said.

“Officers from OFT’s product safety unit visited Sea World yesterday to obtain samples of the product for examination and interviewed Sea World management. The OFT will not be providing further comment at this time.”

Originally published as Deklan Babington-MacDonald, injured playing with a toy from Sea World has died