Three-year-old trapped in claw machine as police snap into action: ‘He took one of each toy’
We’ve all passed claw machine games and refused to give our kids money, telling them it’s impossible to win.
But actually that’s not quite true.
If a child is determined enough, and small enough, he or she can be guaranteed to win a prize.
Take Ethan, a tenacious three-year-old from Australia.
When he spotted the mountain of Hello Kitty soft toys inside the claw machine at Capalaba shopping center in Brisbane, Australia he knew what he had to do.
Presumably, while his parents weren’t watching, Ethan climbed inside the machine through the hatch that normally dispenses toys.
Video footage has emerged of Queensland Police’s innovative rescue as they pulled a reluctant Ethan from the machine.
Little boy rescued from claw machine game
In the video, police can be heard discussing the material of the windows that surround Ethan.
“Perspex?” one officer asks.
“Glass,” the other replies.
Ethan doesn’t look the least bit worried as he watches the adults from inside his box. He smiles as he shifts around soft toys like he’s playing in a ball pit.
“Are you able to get him into that back corner?” one of the officers asks Ethan’s dad.
“Hey Ethan!” his dad calls through the glass. “Go to that back corner.”
Ethan points where his dad is pointing, but doesn’t move.
His mum has a better idea and walks around the back of the machine.
“Go to mum. Go to mum,” his dad says and Ethan makes his way to the back corner.
The little boy follows directions well, covering his eyes with one hand just before police smash the glass.
Surprised by the sound, Ethan turns around and sees his chance to escape. He moves towards the new opening and is lifted out by an officer.
Queensland Police save boy trapped in claw machine
The video was posted to Facebook with the caption, “Ethan and the Police:1. Claw machine: 0.”
“Hope he took one of each toy!” one person commented on the video. “LOL lucky fella.”
“He just wanted his money back,” said another.
Some comments were a judgemental. One person wondered why the shopping center didn’t have a key to the machine.
Others criticized Ethan’s mom and dad, saying the manufacturer would have to pay for repairs because the parents weren’t “supervising their child”.
