Child's show ride death could have been prevented, inquest finds

The death of a little girl who was flung from a ride at the Royal Adelaide Show could have been prevented, an inquest has found.

Adelene Leong, 8, was on holiday from Malaysia, eight years ago, when she rode the Airmaxx 360 at the show.

She was flung to her death, at a minimum of 100 kilometres per hour.

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Deputy State Coroner Ian White found her death, in 2014, should never have happened, that it was inexcusable, and could and should have been prevented.

"One can only say that the incident that happened was probably the worst thing that a mother could probably ever experience or think about happening to her child," Adelene's mother's lawyer Franco Camatta said.

The damning findings reveal the ride should not have been operating that day and that Adelene was in danger from the start.

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Among the failings, he found the ride's owners deliberately concealed the appropriate height rating.

Instead of the recommended 140cm, it was twenty centimetres lower.

Adelene was 137cm.

"This was done for commercial and financial reasons which were prioritised well ahead of this fundamental and crucial safety issue," White said.

Adelene's mother had been worried about the restraints.

She thought they too were inadequate for the speed of the ride, and it wasn't suitable for unaccompanied children.

The show itself is also under fire for failing to enforce safety standards.

It's committed to make change.

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John Rothwell from the Royal Show Society said "we need the opportunity to work through those in detail, which we will do in coming weeks".

The deputy coroner wants Adelene's death to bring about national change too, beginning with the creation of a database so key information about the safety of amusement rides can be shared across states.

"There needs to be a meaningful response to honour Adelene's short life," White said.

"Her death must be a cause for fundamental change in the operation and governance of high energy rides in Australia."