Coronial inquest finds Eugene Mahauariki’s death at Rye Easter Carnival was ‘entirely preventable’

The tragic death of a young boy flung from a ride at the Rye Easter Carnival in 2017 was preventable, a coronial inquest has found.

The death of young boy Eugene Mahauariki, six, who was flung from a Rye Easter Carnival ride in 2017, was found to be preventable by a coronial inquest.

The death of a little boy flung from a carnival ride on the Mornington Peninsula was preventable.

The tragic finding into the 2017 death of six-year-old Eugene Mahauariki on the Cha Cha ride at Rye Easter Carnival was handed down in the Coroner’s Court on Friday.

Coroner Sarah Gerbert found the restraints that were supposed to hold Eugene in place in his seat were not compliant with Australian standards.

She also found the foreign backpacker who operated the ride at the time of Eugene’s death was not adequately trained and did not follow the rules.

“It is clear that Eugene’s death was preventable,” she said.

Her Honour called for sweeping changes to Victoria’s amusement industry to prevent future tragedies.

They included that all amusement structures be “design registered”, that WorkSafe Victoria be empowered to cancel unsafe ride designs and a review is conducted into operator training standards.

Outside court, Eugene’s mother Tammy White held back tears as she paid tribute to her son, hoping no other family would experience her pain.

“He was really cheeky and outgoing. He was the baby of our family and so loved,” said Ms White.

Six-year-old Eugene Mahauariki was flung from the Cha Cha ride. Picture: 9NEWS

“I fought for an inquest because I knew Eugene’s death was preventable and today the Coroner agreed with me.

“I hope all are taken on so this doesn’t happen to another family.”

Eugene was tall for his age and able to ride the Cha Cha without an adult, but there was a rule that he couldn’t ride unless he was with his older siblings.

When the last ride was called on the final day of the carnival, Eugene lined up with a friend and was placed in the outside seat, meant for adults and bigger kids.

When the ride started, Eugene and his friend were seen sliding into one another before Eugene was flung into the air.

Ms White and Stacey Mahauariki, Eugene’s father, both worked for the ride operator, Wittingslow Amusements, and rushed to their son’s aid but he sustained critical head injuries and died in hospital several days later.

Eugene Mahauariki’s parents fought for an inquest into their son’s death.

The Cha Cha, built in 1961, was operated by German backpacker Lukas Kohler.

The court heard Mr Kohler was not adequately trained to operate the ride and had done so without supervision, in breach of the rules.

Mr Kohler returned to Germany soon after Eugene’s death and “did not make himself available” to give evidence in the inquest.

Lawyer Barrie Woollacott, for the family, said the coronial findings were “vindication” that the amusement industry must change.

“I think it’s time the amusement industry put safety ahead of profits. It’s not right that Eugene should not be here today. The system we have has let him down and the family down,” he said.

“Families should be entitled to send their kids off amusement parks and know they’ll be fun, excited, scared but be safe. That’s not what happened here.”

WorkSafe Victoria initially charged Wittingslow Amusements with failing to ensure that people other than employees “were not exposed to risks to their health or safety”.

However the charges were dropped in 2020.

Mr Woollacott criticised WorkSafe, saying it did the “barest minimum” and should be made tougher to ensure the industry is made safer.

“The regulatory authority needs to be stronger, tougher and more demanding. That’s what needs to happen to make these things safe.”