Terrifying moment as the driver’s seat opens in ‘free fall’ leaving 4-year-old boy in mid-air while mother looks on in horror

A KIDS ride at the Sydney Royal Easter Show was shut down after a four-year-old boy was not buckled up – and could have been thrown off and seriously injured.

The free-fall ride was seconds from lifting riders into the air when horrified witnesses brought the situation to the attention of ride operators.

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Little Tristan Curtis had not been secured in his seat during the ride, which should have been bolted down before the ride began.

Pictures of the boy on the ride were shared online with the restraint over his head open while other children seated next to him all had theirs secured.

His mother, Sky Bourstani Curtis, watched in horror as her son’s life was almost threatened.

Speak with Daily Telegraph She said: “The (operator) girl stopped the ride but didn’t come out of her cab so another dad made him climb down to him.

“Me and my husband weren’t big enough to reach it. They just didn’t pull his harness down, didn’t check him.”

She added that her son has autism and it’s “difficult” to know how he’s feeling after the horrific ordeal.

Another witness claimed the operator had “no idea” the boy wasn’t secured in the ride.

Eva Levy said: “They hit the emergency stop but it seems like the driver couldn’t shut down the ride and someone actually had to go over there and have their son jump into their arms.

“Viewers had to shout for the ride to be stopped.”

Another mum online warned parents to “be careful,” adding, “This carelessness that unfolded in front of so many guests who had to yell for this woman to stop the ride,” she wrote.

“The bar was never laid down and she started the ride without notice or control. Make sure you watch them strap your child into an amusement ride as some of these operators are clearly not doing their jobs and duty of care! Shameful, no excuses!”

The organizers of the event have launched an urgent investigation into the incident.

A spokeswoman said: “The safety of those attending the show is paramount and we have closed the children’s free fall ride with a harness following a reported issue.

“The ride’s safety systems worked well to prevent injury and the ride will not be returned to service until a full investigation has been completed and the ride has been approved by specialist engineers.”

Ride operators at the Sydney Royal Easter Show must comply with the SafeWork NSW Guide for Amusement Devices.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said police were not aware of the incident, adding it was a safety issue for organisers.

The free fall ride is located at the Children’s Carnival, where guests must be at least 110 centimeters tall and can join the ride with or without an adult.

It comes after a teenager died after falling in a 400ft fall from the world’s highest drop when not properly belayed.

Tire Sampson, 14, has been identified by police as the victim who fell to his death at ICON Park OrlandoFlorida just after 11pm local time in March.