'We don't want another family to go through the tragedy that we have'

The tragic death of a six-year-old boy who was ejected from an Easter carnival ride was clearly “preventable”, a coroner has found.

The tragic death of a six-year-old boy who fell from his favourite amusement ride has been ruled clearly “preventable”.

Eugene Mahauariki suffered fatal head injuries when he was ejected from the Cha-Cha ride at a Easter carnival in April 2017.

The then-55-year-old ride, was owned and operated by Michael Wittingslow and his company Wittingslow Carnivals Pty Ltd, who also employed both of Eugene’s parents.

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Following an 11-day inquest last year, on Friday, coroner Sarah Gilbert delivered her findings into Eugene’s death, ruling the April 17 incident was preventable.

She said Eugene had ridden the ride many times before, but soon after the ride commenced and despite his best efforts to hold on, he slipped out from underneath the lap bar.

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The court was told Eugene Mahauariki was an experienced rider on the Cha-Cha and knew how to brace himself. Picture: Supplied

Restraint system "not compliant"

Coroner Gilbert found the restraint system fitted to the Cha-Cha at the time of the fatal incident was not compliant with Australian Standards.

She said Lukas Kohler, a German backpacker who was the ride’s operator, should not have not been operating the ride unsupervised.

In the “informal” circumstances of the last ride for the day, she found he acted contrary to the training he received.

“Eugene was permitted to ride on the Cha-Cha with another six year old who was only 121cm in height,” she said.

“They were therefore permitted to ride in a configuration which was contrary to the rules. As both children were small, the U-shaped rod was not effective to go between their legs or otherwise hold them in place.

“Despite Eugene’s best efforts to hold on in any way he could, and the efforts of his companion rider, he slipped out … resulting in him being ejected from the carriage.”

She further found Mr Wittingslow did not appear to be well informed about the available safety literature.

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Tammy White and Stacey Mahauariki said the hoped Eugene’s death would lead to change. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

"There is a piece missing from our family"

Delivering her findings, Ms Gilbert made nine recommendations designed to strengthen the safety of amusement operations, including registration of ride designs and record be kept of operator training and certification.

In a statement to the court, Eugene’s mother Tammy and father Stacey said his death had changed their lives forever.

“Eugene, six years of age, was an outgoing, bubbly, family-orientated child. He was the youngest of our children, but he ran the house,” they wrote.

“There is a piece missing from our family, that we will always feel.

“We are often tiptoeing around each other and dismissing the elephant in the room. But inside we are all suffering, yearning, crying for Eugene.

“Our family home that was once, happy, full of life has become silent.”

Tammy and Stacey said they hoped his death would bring about “serious changes” to the regulation of amusement rides in Victoria, and “adequate training and accountability” for owners and operators.

“We don’t want another family to go through the tragedy that we have,” they wrote.

“Eugene, we want you to know that Mum and Dad are doing everything we can to bring you justice.”

Originally published as 'We don't want another family to go through the tragedy that we have'