Rest in peace: Deklan Babington MacDonald, six, died in hospital after a bizarre apparent mishap with a penguin-on-a-leash toy, his family confirmed
A six-year-old boy has died days after a mishap with a penguin-on-a-leash toy from Sea World, family sources confirmed.
Year one student Deklan Babington-MacDonald, from Nerang on Queensland’s Gold Coast, passed away in hospital on Friday.
Daily Mail Australia understands Deklan was taken off life support about 3pm after his mother Lauren, family and close friends were given time to say their goodbyes.
‘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,’ a statement said.
Deklan’s loved ones said he suffered a ‘severe’ injury on Sunday, April 25 while playing with the toy.
The device ‘was a penguin toy that you “walk” and the leash was made stiff by a pole but the pole came out,’ his cousin Lea Williams said.
‘It turned into basically a long rope with a loop on the end. In a very short amount of time Deklan became entangled.’
Police have said there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’ found in their initial investigation of the accident. Officers have seized the toy.
Deklan got ‘entangled’ in the toy’s leash, family claim, and severely injured himself. He was unable to be revived and family members said goodbye to him on Friday, April 30
The ‘penguin-on-a-leash’ toy allegedly at the centre of the incident was bought by the family on a trip to SeaWorld only days ago
Deklan’s mother Lauren Babington discovered Deklan ‘entangled’ in the toy and called for help, but he was unable to be saved
Pictured: An image of the toy Deklan was playing with when he suffered the injury
Deklan’s mother Lauren Babington discovered him injured at home.
His grandparents then rushed from their nearby home to perform CPR.
Deklan was transferred to Gold Coast University Hospital and later airlifted to the intensive care unit at Queensland Children’s Hospital, where doctors said his chances of survival were slim.
He is being remembered as a ‘gorgeous boy’ whose presence would light up the room he was in.
Village Roadshow Theme Parks, which operates SeaWorld, released a statement in response to questions from Daily Mail Australia last week, saying staff were ‘distressed’ to learn about the tragic accident.
‘We need to understand the circumstances around what has occurred and will be fully cooperating with any investigation.
‘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.’
An post on the ‘Supporting Deklan’ Facebook page on Wednesday advised his life support would be withdrawn in 48 hours.
‘As you can understand this is a devastating time for the family so please respect their privacy and understand they won’t be able to talk on the phone.
‘They are reading the messages of support and appreciate all the love and kindness shown by the community.’
A fundraiser initially set-up to raise funds to aid Deklan’s recovery will now be dedicated towards his funeral. It has raised more than $14,000.
‘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,’ the Facebook post said.
Deklan, was just about to start his second term of grade one, has been described as a ‘gorgeous boy’ who could light up a room
Daily Mail Australia has been told the toy has been taken by police ahead of a likely coronial inquest.
Ms Williams has described Deklan as the much-loved ‘baby of the family’ and said they want police to launch an investigation.
Deklan’s Aunty Caity Macdonald broke the sad news to her friends and family on Tuesday afternoon.
‘It is with a heavy heart that we share this news, but on Sunday my nephew Deklan was involved in a horrific accident that has left my sister (his mum) and my family absolutely devastated’, she wrote on Facebook.
‘He is in ICU in a critical condition.’
The organiser of the fundraiser, Lea Williams, posted a link to the campaign on Facebook, telling friends and family her ‘sweet cousin Deklan’ had been in a horrific accident.
She described her cousin as a ‘gorgeous boy’ who could light up a room.
‘He’s definitely mischievous but he’s so so sweet. He’s so loved, just doted on’, she told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Deklan’s family said appreciated all the love and kindness shown by the community following news of his accident
Deklan was playing with a toy in his bedroom on Sunday, when he suffered a life-threatening injury
Ms Macdonald said her family was left ‘absolutely distraught’ by the terrifying accident, and described Deklan as the ‘light of our life and Lauren’s best friend’.
He was just about to start his second term of grade one at William Duncan State School and was said to have loved riding his scooter and going to the beach.
‘Deklan isn’t just a grandson or nephew you would see every now and then’, Ms Macdonald said.
‘He is embedded in our lives, with sleepovers at Nanna’s every weekend and hangouts with the aunties all the time.’
She said Ms Babington has had to overcome the challenges of being a single mother ever since Deklan was born.
‘What has happened is a horrible tragedy that no one could ever see coming. We are all broken and praying for our little man,’ Ms Macdonald said.
Comment has been sought from SeaWorld.