Deklan Babington-McDonald dies after being taken off life support, injuring self with Sea World toy


A six-year-old boy has died after his family said he became ‘entangled’ in a penguin-on-a-leash toy.  

Deklan Babington-MacDonald, from Nerang on Queensland’s Gold Coast, passed away at the state’s children’s hospital on Friday. 

Daily Mail Australia understands his life support was turned off about 3pm after his mother Lauren, family and close friends were given time to say their final goodbyes.  

Deklan’s family claim he suffered a ‘severe’ injury on Anzac Day while playing with the toy in his bedroom.

The little boy’s cousin Lea Williams said the toy ‘was a penguin toy that you “walk” and the leash was made stiff by a pole but the pole came out’.

‘It turned into basically a long rope with a loop on the end. In a very short amount of time Deklan became entangled,’ she said.  

Police had said there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’ found in their initial investigation of the accident.

Deklan Babington-MacDonald from Nerang on Queensland 's Gold Coast was rushed to hospital on Sunday after suffering a 'severe' injury while playing with the unknown toy in his bedroom

Deklan Babington-MacDonald from Nerang on Queensland ‘s Gold Coast was rushed to hospital on Sunday after suffering a ‘severe’ injury while playing with the unknown toy in his bedroom

Deklan is in intensive care where doctors said his chance of survival is low

Deklan is in intensive care where doctors said his chance of survival is low 

The 'penguin-on-a-leash' was bought by the family on a trip to SeaWorld only days ago

The ‘penguin-on-a-leash’ was bought by the family on a trip to SeaWorld only days ago

The toy was bought for Deklan from a theme park before the horrific incident

Deklan's mother Lauren Babington discovered him after his heart stopped beating for 30 minutes

Deklan is set to have his life support switched off after doctors advised he will not be able to recover from injuries suffered in an accident on Sunday

Pictured: An image of the toy Deklan was playing with when he suffered the injury

Pictured: An image of the toy Deklan was playing with when he suffered the injury

Deklan’s mother Lauren Babington discovered him after his heart stopped beating for 30 minutes during the horrific incident.

His grandparents then rushed from their nearby home to desperately 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.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks, which operates SeaWorld, released a statement in response to questions from Daily Mail Australia which said: ‘The Village Roadshow Theme Parks family are distressed to learn about the tragic accident involving Deklan.

‘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 earlier post on the ‘Supporting Deklan’ Facebook page advised his life support would be withdrawn in the 48 hours following Wednesday. 

‘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

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’s family said appreciated all the love and kindness shown by the community following news of his accident

The young boy has been described as 'sweet' and 'mischievous'

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. 

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