A six-year-old boy sustained fatal head injuries after slipping out of a seat meant for adults on his favourite carnival ride, an inquest in Australia has heard.
Eugene Mahauariki loved the Cha Cha ride - which is known as a "twist" in the UK - and couldn't wait to get a seat on the final day of Melbourne's Rye Easter Carnival in 2017.
At 4ft3in, the youngster was tall for his age and was allowed to ride alone, but due to his age his parents always accompanied him.
On the day of his death, he queued with a younger friend - who was too short but allowed on anyway - and was designated an outside seat for the first time with his pal behind him.
These seats are usually reserved for adults and larger children.
As the ride started, Eugene slid out of his seat and ended up on the outside of the compartment, holding on for dear life.
Some witnesses said the ride was spinning faster than it had been on previous occasions.
Little Eugene, who looked terrified as he clung on, eventually lost his grip and was launched from the compartment.
Before he came crashing down on the ground below, he bashed his head on the ride.
Eugene's mum Tammy White and dad Stacey Mahuariki rushed to help their boy after hearing a noise, according to the MailOnline.
He was airlifted to hospital but despite medics' best efforts, he couldn't be saved and his life support was turned off on April 21, 2017.
A lawyer assisting the coroner said: "Eugene was a small child enjoying a ride at a fair on an Easter long weekend like hundreds of other children,' counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard told an inquest into his death on Monday.
"The Cha Cha is an example of many rides that are fun because they're a bit dangerous, or at least they feel dangerous."
She added parents let children on these rides because they're supposed to be safe, despite giving the thrill of being dangerous.
There is a general expectation that the ride is in working order, safe and the staff operating the machines are trained.
Coroner Sarah Gebert said: "The loss of such a young child, and particularly in the circumstances, is undoubtedly devastating to his family, also to our community as a whole."
"We collectively shudder at what has happened, and all look for answers as to why," she added.
Michael Wittingslow - who owned the carnival - has refused to provide evidence despite being listed as a witness. This is even despite having been offered protection against his evidence coming back to bite him in the event of criminal proceedings.
Engineer Hamish Munro - who inspected the Cha Cha months before the tragedy - has also refused.
