THE Griffith Show was marred by tragedy with the sudden death of a 12-year-old girl on Sunday night.
Show patrons were shocked when the young girl staggered off a dodgem car ride and collapsed to the ground just before 9.30pm.
Onlookers immediately rushed to her assistance and two began performing CPR, while others called triple-0.
NSW Ambulance Service grievance contact officer Markus Zarins said when paramedics arrived at the tragic scene, the girl was in cardiac arrest, believed to have been brought on by an asthma attack.
“The girl was treated on scene for cardiac arrest,” Inspector Zarins said.
“She was transported to Griffith Base Hospital but was pronounced deceased on arrival.”
A witness recalled seeing the girl as she came off the ride.
“She went really white, she didn’t look well at all,” he said.
“She just walked off and collapsed.”
Griffith police also attended and Inspector Tony Reneker said a report had been prepared for the coroner, but it had been deemed the girl died of natural causes.
Griffith Show Society treasurer Denny Fachin said his thoughts went out to the girl’s family and the tragedy had put a dampener over the remainder of the show.
“It did affect the committee quite badly when we woke up to what had actually happened,” Mr Fachin said.
“It really got to us and we’re very sorry for all her family.
“Anytime anything like that happens it is very sad, people didn’t want to believe it was true.”
Out of respect for the family, The Area News has chosen not to release the girl’s name.