A horrifying photo has surfaced online which was reportedly taken moments before a teen was allegedly stabbed to death during a wild brawl at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The adult carnival ride section of one of Sydney’s much-loved annual events will be closed on Tuesday after a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the chest in front of thousands of show goers on Monday night.
Confronting footage captured by shocked witnesses shows two teenagers punching and kicking one another as families watched on in horror.
A shocking photo that was circulated online shortly afterwards shows a male appearing to hold a knife in his right hand.
‘Really, a stabbing at the Easter show! This is just disgraceful at a family event,’ one man posted.
A17-year-old boy has tragically died after being fatally stabbed in the chest at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Monday night (pictured, paramedics at the scene)
Confused show-goers were seen filing out of the Sydney Showground on Monday night as dozens of police officers cordoned off sections of the venue to continue investigations
The 17-year-old boy was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition where he later died, despite the efforts of paramedics who arrived on the scene at about 8pm.
A 16-year-old boy who had been stabbed in the leg was taken to the same hospital in Sydney’s west where he remains in a stable condition.
A 15-year-old was arrested nearby a short time later and was taken to Auburn Police Station, where he is still being questioned.
No charges have yet been laid as of Tuesday morning.
In mobile photo footage which was posted to social media, two young men can be seen exchanging a series of punches and kicks.
The taller of the pair tried to send his knee into the other’s head as he was driven backwards before landing a series of punches in his abdomen.
The smaller man retaliated by driving him backwards into a set of garbage bins before the taller man was joined by another man who also began to swing his fists.
Shocked witnesses can be heard screaming in horror.
‘When paramedics arrived, one of the patients was in cardiac arrest after having suffered a traumatic chest wound,’ NSW Ambulance Inspector Mark Whittaker said.
‘Paramedics performed CPR and a number of other critical interventions at the scene before loading the patient for transport to Westmead Hospital, unfortunately despite best efforts he couldn’t be resuscitated.’
Police and paramedics were called to the Easter Show just after 8pm on Monday, with riot squad vehicles also pictured at the scene
A 15-year-old boy arrested at the scene was still being question by police on Tuesday morning
Show goers were moved out of the carnival area as officers cordoned off the vicinity and established a crime scene.
The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales has expressed its shock and sadness over the incident
‘The RAS has advised the adult carnival at the Sydney Royal Easter Show will remain closed on Tuesday, 12 April, while police continue investigations following the incident,’ a statement read.
‘The RAS confirmed all other aspects of the show will remain open on Tuesday.
The RAS does not tolerate or condone any violence or anti-social behaviour and we join with NSW Police and the wider community in condemning this appalling behaviour and unnecessary loss of life.’
Early Tuesday morning, the show organisers took to social media to announce the adult carnival area will be closed on Tuesday.
‘Any ticket holders who no longer want to attend the show on Tuesday due to the closure of the adult carnival will be able to use their ticket on any other show day,’ the post read
‘If ticket holders cannot attend on another day, they cam contact Ticketmaster to request a refund.’
Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show has been a favourite wholesome family event since it began in 1823.
The adult carnival section of the Royal Easter Show will be off limits to visitors on Tuesday
Tens of thousands of revellers flock to the showground every year to enjoy spine-tingling rides, wood-chopping, the animals, and of course, the famous showbags.
However, in recent years the annual event has become the back drop for scenes of violence.
The fatal stabbing comes after the 2021 Easter Show saw an all-out brawl erupt among terrified families with two people stabbed in the chaos.
An 18-year-old boy was treated for lacerations to his shin while a 17-year-old boy was treated for lacerations to his lower legs, luckily neither injury proving fatal.
The annual show is held for around two weeks over the Easter period and was first held in 1823. Pictured is show-goers enjoying a carnival ride on Monday
Tens of thousands of keen attendees made the most of the hot weather and descended on the Sydney Showground for some family fun
There were also reports of gangs of youths wreaking havoc on the final night of Sydney’s Royal Easter Show last year.
Dozens of teenagers were filmed by onlookers running away from cops in a series of confronting videos uploaded to TikTok.
In another shocking video, a group of at least 20 men were seen brawling on the middle of the promenade inside the showground.
A third video taken by a bystander showed an officer from Auburn Police Area Command pointing his pepper spray at a group of out of control youths.
Despite the hot weather and overall cheer, just hours later the showground would become the back drop of a fatal stabbing
The fatal brawl comes just hours after the Easter Show was thrust into the spotlight after a four-year-old autistic boy was left unrestrained on a popular kids’ ride.
Tristan Curtis was on the ‘Free Fall’ ride on Sunday afternoon when horrified onlookers rushed to alert operators that his restraint had not locked into place.
Photos circulated online show Tristan on the ride with the restraint – which should be locked downward before the ride begins – still open above his head. Other children sitting next to him all had their restraints firmly secured.
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