A six-year-old boy has died after suffering a ‘severe’ injury after playing with a penguin-on-a-leash toy from Sea World.
Deklan Babington-MacDonald, from Queensland’s Gold Coast, tragically died in hospital on Friday, surrounded by his close family.
Relatives said he suffered a ‘severe’ injury while playing with the toy on April 25 which he’d got from the theme park days before the incident.
He was reportedly found injured by his mum Lauren, before family members performed CPR on him ahead of paramedics arriving.
The toy has been removed from sale as the theme park investigates.
A fundraising page raising money for Deklan’s memorial said: “Deklan passed away on the 30th of April, at Queensland Children’s Hospital, surrounded by his closest family, extended family and some close friends of the family.
(Image: Mycause)
“Please respect the families privacy and grief at this time. 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.”
An earlier message had read: “Lauren (Deklan’s mum) has asked me to share that the doctors have advised that Deklan is beyond recovery.
(Image: Mycause)
(Image: Mycause)
“Deklan’s life support will be withdrawn in the next 48 hours.”
It added: “The money donated will go towards Deklan’s memorial and allow Lauren to make an important keepsake with Deklan’s ashes when the time is right.”
Deklan has been described as a ‘gorgeous boy’ who was his mother’s best friend, the Daily Mail reports.
(Image: Mycause)
(Image: Mycause)
A Village Roadshow Theme Parks spokesman last week said the company was “distressed” to learn about Deklan’s tragic accident, Yahoo reports.
“We need to understand the circumstances around what has occurred and will be fully co-operating with any investigation,” the spokesman said.
“As our number one priority is always health and safety, we have removed the toy in question from sale at this time.
“We will also be reaching out to Deklan’s family to offer support … We will not be making any further comment until all the facts are known.”
Gold Coast Police have said there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’ found in their initial investigation.
