6-year-old boy dies after falling from carnival ride in Australia

A six-year-old boy has died four days after falling off a carnival ride at high speed in an amusement park in southwest Australia.

The family of Eugene Mahauariki confirmed on Sunday that he had died on Friday night from injuries sustained when he fell off the ride on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, 75 km southeast of Melbourne, on Monday.

As many as five teams of paramedics attended the scene when Mahauariki fell off the cha cha ride, which rotates both clockwise and anti-clockwise at high speeds.

He was taken to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne with critical foot and head injuries by air ambulance.

"While our hearts are broken, it is important to us that Eugene is remembered as we knew and loved him," Tammy and Stacey Mahauariki said in a statement.

"Eugene was a happy, kind and caring boy and he loved nothing more than to dance."

"Eugene was loved by so many people and he brought us, his brother and four sisters, extended family, friends and community so much joy and happiness in his short life."

An initial report by WorkSafe indicated that the incident occurred after the carnival had closed to the public.

One of Eugene's parents worked for Wittingslow Amusements, the company that operated the ride.

The ride had a minimum height requirement of 130 cm.

"Our hearts and sincerest thoughts remain firmly with his family at this sad time, as well as their friends and extended family here and in New Zealand," the company said in a statement. Endit