Boy in hospital after falling from Looney Tunes carousel at Movie World

The young boy recovering in hospital after an incident on a Movie World carousel is “extremely lucky” after the fall left him with serious injuries.

The young boy who fell from Movie World’s Looney Tunes carousel ride was “extremely lucky” to escape serious injury, a senior paramedic has admitted.

The 12-year-old was on the ride at the Gold Coast theme park just before 1pm yesterday when he fell, slicing open his head.

Queensland Ambulance Service supervisor William Houghton described the injury as a “deep laceration to the back of the head” but one that was “non-lethal”.

Mr Houghton said the boy was well-tended to by two registered nurses, one who works at Movie World and another who was off-duty, enjoying the theme park with family.

“The scene was fine, the patient was at the side of the amusement ride, he had been tended to by (the registered nurses) before we got there so he had good first aid rendered to him before we arrived,” he said.

“I think it calmed everybody down at the scene as well .... Everyone was really helpful.”

The Looney Tunes carousel at Movie World. Picture: Movie World

The carousel is closed today. Picture: Nine News

Mr Houghton said the boy was “conscious and alert and in good spirits” but was “a bit shaken up” about what had happened.

Despite the injury being described as “non-life threatening”, Mr Houghton said the boy was “extremely lucky”.

“Obviously people can die from head injuries, but he’s extremely lucky and he’s in the best care at the moment,” he said.

“He’s been treated as a high priority case, all head injuries are serious injuries.”

The details were still “a bit sketchy” about how the boy was injured, he added.

The boy remains in Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

Movie World was packed with people yesterday as the school holidays kicked off and families flocked to the Gold Coast’s theme parks.

The carousel, billed as a family ride at the theme park, is decked out with Looney Tunes characters.

It requires children under 105cm to ride with an adult and moves slowly on its axis at six revolutions per minute.

“The perfect, relaxed ride for Mum, Dad and the kids to enjoy,” the carousel is described as.

The ride is closed today as Movie World starts its extensive investigation.

The company is conducting a thorough investigation. Picture: Glenn Hampson

A spokesperson from Village Roadshow Theme Parks, the parent company of Movie World, said the investigation would be thorough.

“Our thoughts are with the guest and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery,” the company said.

“We pride ourselves on our standards of care and quality and an investigation is being conducted as a matter of priority into the exact cause of the incident.

“In an abundance of caution the ride has been closed while we understand how the incident occurred.

“The safety and wellbeing of guests and team members is our top priority at Village Roadshow Theme Parks and we are committed to providing guests with a fun and safe environment.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the local council would not be providing further detail at this point in time.

“Work safety officers and police will manage the incident and council will make no further comment,” he said.