Boy, 5, fighting for life after being crushed by old parking meter at Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre

A five-year-old boy is fighting for life in hospital after a parking meter fell on him at a museum in Bunbury. The West Australian understands the boy was at the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre about 10.30am on Wednesday when the incident happened. It is understood the boy was crushed when a disused parking meter, which was being stored at the museum, fell on him. He was rushed to Bunbury Regional Hospital with critical injuries before being flown to Perth Children’s Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The boy remained in a critical condition at PCH on Thursday morning. WorkSafe is investigating the incident. In a post on Facebook, the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre said the facility would be closed on Thursday and Friday. “We apologise for any inconvenience and thank our community for their patience and understanding during this period,” it said. City of Bunbury chief executive Alan Ferris said he was deeply saddened by the incident. “Our thoughts are with the child, their family, and all involved, and everyone impacted.,” he said. “The safety and wellbeing of our community members, especially our children, is of the utmost importance to us. “The City is working closely with all relevant authorities to understand the circumstances surrounding this incident.” Mr Ferris thanked police and paramedics who “not only helped the child, but museum staff and community members who witnessed the incident and provided immediate assistance” “The City has offered support, including counselling, to all staff involved,” he said. “We ask for the community’s understanding and patience as we address this matter with the care and attention it deserves. The museum will be closed today and tomorrow, and we will provide an update when we can.” Police Minister Paul Papalia said he hoped the boy made a full recovery. Bunbury MP Don Punch said it was a “terribly tragedy”. “I know that it’s being felt by the family, the whole community and particularly the staff that were there onsite,” he said. “They acted very quickly and the boy did get medical help very quickly, but it is a tragic, tragic situation and our sympathies go out to the family.”