Young boy removed from life support after tragic accident with Sea World toy
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Gold Coast family has farewelled their six-year-old boy after he was removed from life support following an accident involving a penguin toy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Deklan Labington-MacDonald became “entangled” in the lead connected to the toy, purchased from SeaWorld, at his family’s home on Anzac Day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He was then admitted to the intensive care unit at Queensland Children’s Hospital.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But his family was told he was “beyond recovery”.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The family said their goodbyes on Friday, April 30, after Deklan’s life support was turned off while surrounded by friends and family.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“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,” an update on the </span><a href="https://www.mycause.com.au/p/249727/supporting-deklan?fbclid=IwAR1Ka-BCC7bdttd0slw1PWntiLa-PEE2HNlIseSkTrEVHtIzDe7puQPw"><span style="font-weight: 400;">fundraiser page</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> dedicated to supporting the family read.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Please respect the families privacy and grief at this time. Any details of a memorial will be communicated when appropriate.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">More than $15,000 has been raised for the boy’s family and the donations will go towards a “memorial” service.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a statement following the incident, Village Roadshow Theme Parks, the parent company of SeaWorld, said the company was “distressed to learn about the tragic accident involving Deklan”.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We need to understand the circumstances around what has occurred and will be fully cooperating with any investigation.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SeaWorld has temporarily removed said toy from their shelves.</span></p>
<p>Image credit: Nine News</p>
