Fatal stabbing, ride failure, Sydney Royal Easter Show goes from family fun to chaos

Regarded as one of the biggest family events in the country, a deadly stabbing and near safety disaster, has tarnished the Sydney Royal Easter Show’s reputation.

In tiny print on a sign at the front gates of the Easter Show are the words “prohibited items: knives or other dangerous weapons”.

The sign is a sad reminder of the violence that marred what should have been a vibrant celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Show and the beginning of school holidays.

Just after 8pm on Monday night, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in the chest after a violent brawl between two groups of males thought to be from rival postcode gangs in Sydney’s west.

Paramedics desperately performed CPR and injected the teen with blood to keep him alive but he died in an ambulance on the way to hospital.

His 15-year-old relative has since been charged with carrying a knife in public and affray over his alleged involvement in the brawl that unfolded just metres from the Showbag Pavilion in front of terrified families and kids.

Police descended onto the scene as the stabbing occurred. Picture: Twitter

A sad sign at the front gates of the Easter show stated that knives were prohibited. Picture: Supplied.

The brawl marked a nightmare 48 hours for the Easter Show, which was already facing negative headlines after an autistic toddler was left unstrapped in a ride on Sunday afternoon.

Luckily bystanders intervened in the moments before the ride made its heady ascent and fast-paced “freefalling” down the structure.

On Tuesday afternoon however, the violent events of Monday appeared to linger among the crowds at the Easter Show.

Although the crowds had returned, the entry point of the adult rides section, where the stabbing occurred, was blocked off.

Blocked off by police tape with a van towards the left, the area was cordoned off by crowds normally eager to tour the Haunted House and Crazy Coaster.

Despite the incident, a family of three from Swansea, near Newcastle, was determined to take their 11-year-old daughter to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the show.

Speaking to news.com.au, Geraldine Moran, 58, said that Monday night’s incidents suggested that extra security measures may be needed to help keep “young people safe” but added that she didn’t want the “tragic” incident to take away from other people’s enjoyment.

“Our daughter who’s just under teen age was probably scared about coming today, but for those reasons, we decided it was a good thing to show a mark of respect to the show,” said Ms Moran.

“Hopefully it doesn’t ruin it for future years. For young people, it really is part of their rite of passage to go to the show and enjoy the rides with their friends.”

Police had cordoned off the adult rides area, where the stabbing unfolded. Picture: Jessica Wang/news.com.au

Speaking to Ms Moran’s daughter, the pre-teen admitted it was something that was on her mind, telling news.com.au that: “There is the worry that it may happen to you.”

Inside the show, families with young children appeared to be enjoying the rides and festivities.

In the children’s rides section, lines had returned as parents queued with their children, for rides like the Ferris Wheel, Giant Slide and Pirate’s Nest.

Watching his three-year-old and wife on the Merry-go-round, Scott Dinnerville, 38 said that while the stabbing was concerning, it luckily wasn’t as relevant to his family.

“If we had a teenage kid, that would be a different story,” he said.

“I think it’d be something to be mindful of but you’d talk to your child about how to manage something like that, hopefully not cause conflict or walk away.”

Mum of two, Emily Wang, 32, also had a realist approach to the event. With a six and one-year-old son, she admitted that she “definitely” would have been worried if her children were older, or if they were attending the Easter Show with their friends.

“I’d be really worried about them. I’d warn them and I’d ask them to message, call and update me,” the West Ryde resident said. “Luckily, it’s still too early for me to think that.”

However, Ms Wang also acknowledged that “bad things happened everyday” but hoped organisers would “put in more security”.

Crowds of families continued to attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw.

In light of the death and violent attack, General Manager of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Muray Wilton has apologised for the “horrific experience” and said the Easter Show will be working with authorities and management to improve their safety procedures.

When it comes to ensuring attendees didn’t bring dangerous weapons into the show, there was just a tiny mention of the fact on the show’s Conditions of Entry. In tiny script, under a list of restricted and prohibited items, the words: “Knives or other dangerous weapons” are seen.

While Mr Wilton said things like individual bag checks were not possible, his promises of additional security and police presence appeared to go unchecked.

Although gate-side security staff declined to comment on whether staff had been increased, longtime Royal Easter Show volunteer, Steve Collins, told news.com.au he didn’t believe police involvement had increased.

“There’s nothing around here no,” he said.

The area dedicated to children’s rides were filled with parents and young families crowded. Picture: Supplied/ Jessica Wang news.com.au

In

Staff did not appear to be checking bags. Picture: Supplied