AusLeisure

A 17-year-old boy working at the Sydney Royal Easter Show has died after being fatally stabbed in while another 16-year-old boy sustained leg injuries during a fight which broke out near at the event’s carnival area last night.

Uati ‘Pele’ Faletolu was fatally knifed in the chest while on a break from his job working at one of the rides on Monday night in what NSW Police believe was a planned confrontation.

Despite a reported heavy presence at the Show, NSW Police were unable to apprehend the perpetrator and are working to track down those responsible for the tragic incident

However, a 15-year-old boy, who NSW allege played a minor role in the incident, was arrested at the scene and appeared in a Children's Court today.

He was granted strict conditional bail on charges of affray, carrying a knife in a public place and being armed with intent.

Meanwhile, part of carnival section of the Show remains closed today as forensic teams comb through the area but it is expected to reopen tomorrow.

NSW Police do not believe the attack was random but rather that two groups of males met at the Show and a confrontation broke out.

As reported by the ABC, Sydney Royal Easter Show General Manager, Murray Wilton, rejected claims event security failed and said there were metal detectors at entrances, private security guards and a large police presence in the ride area.

Stating that it was not possible to check every person's bag on arrival but that random bag checks were conducted, Wilton advised “we have over 850,000 people who come to the show over 12 days, to physically check everybody's bag would be almost impossible.

"We've done everything we can possibly do.

“We apologise. It was a horrific experience … we're doing everything we can do today to ensure the safety of our patrons is intensified tomorrow."

NSW Police Superintendent Danielle Emerton reassured the public the Royal Easter Show remained safe despite the "senseless" attack, noting "I can guarantee there will be a huge police presence, as there already is at the show, and we are working really hard with the Royal Easter Show and Royal Agricultural Society to ensure the security of the show is maintained.”

Superintendent Emerton said officers were at the scene within "seconds" but needed the public's assistance in finding the other people involved in the fight.

A number of people in attendance have already uploaded videos and pictures to social media showing people fighting near the carnival area,

Footage from the scene shows several people involved in a brawl, with one person appearing to repeatedly knee and punch another.

Following the incident, all visitors will now have to pass through a metal detector, there are additional bag checks, and lighting has been increased at night.

The main carnival will close at an earlier time of 9.30pm about people with 'twilight' tickets, which allow entry from 4pm will be able to come from 3.30pm.

Images: The Royal Easter Show by night (top) and still from footage showing people fighting near the rides (below).

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