Movie World has been cleared of liability in a 2022 carousel incident that left a 12-year-old boy with serious head injuries, after Work Health Safety Queensland (WHSQ) dropped its legal action against the theme park’s operator.
The case, heard over two days at Southport Magistrates Court, ended when WHSQ withdrew its prosecution against Village Roadshow Theme Parks. The company had been accused of breaching its duty of care after the boy sustained a severe scalp injury and multiple fractures while riding the Looney Tunes-themed carousel.
The court heard the boy was standing on the Wile E. Coyote figure instead of sitting, and his head became trapped in an opening in the carousel’s ceiling, where it was caught between the aperture and the machinery that moves the figure.
Safety Report and Brush Recommendation
WHSQ’s barrister, Clare O’Connor, told the court that an earlier independent safety review had flagged the aperture as a potential crush hazard and suggested installing rigid plastic brushes as a preventative measure. These brushes, she said, were already used on similar rides at other theme parks like Sea World and Dream World.
Although the report noted the ride was in excellent working condition and met safety standards, it proposed the brushes as a precaution. WHSQ argued that by not implementing the recommendation, Village Roadshow exposed guests to potential harm.
‘Not Reasonably Foreseeable’
However, Village Roadshow’s barrister, Saul Holt, countered that the incident was unforeseeable. Witnesses described the boy as “surfing” on the ride character when he leaned or fell into the ceiling opening.
Holt said the ride was shut down immediately after the incident and later underwent significant safety upgrades before reopening. “Once the risk became known, the company acted decisively to eliminate it,” he said.
Ride Operator’s Testimony
Ruby Piakura, who was operating the carousel at the time, testified that she had never seen anyone stand on a character before. She said she activated the emergency stop as soon as she noticed something was wrong. Although still working at Movie World, she told the court she hasn’t returned to work on the carousel since the incident.
Expert Surprised by Incident
David Randall, the safety consultant who authored the initial report, clarified that the brush installation was meant as a potential improvement, not a mandatory requirement. He added that the brushes would only act as a tactile deterrent, not a physical barrier, and may not have prevented the accident.
Randall, with decades of experience in theme park safety, admitted he had never anticipated a guest standing on a carousel figure. “I was extremely surprised — I had never considered that as a risk,” he said.
Case Withdrawn and Charges Dismissed
On the third day of the hearing, WHSQ’s barrister informed Magistrate Lisa O’Neill that the prosecution would not be presenting any further evidence. O’Neill agreed to dismiss the case, calling the withdrawal a “responsible decision.”
Village Roadshow is expected to seek reimbursement for its legal costs from WHSQ.
