This footage was filmed and produced 27 January 2024.

[Note: video contains subtitles, no sound]

In a whimsical yet daring escapade, Queensland Police came to the rescue of a 3-year-old boy named Ethan, who found himself in a close encounter with a Hello Kitty claw machine at a Capalaba shopping centre.

The incident, which unfolded on a Saturday, saw young Ethan crawling up the machine's prize dispenser to secure a coveted toy.

Video footage captured the amusing scene as Ethan sat amidst Hello Kitty toys, seemingly unfazed, while officers and his parents deliberated on a safe extraction plan. After tapping on the machine revealed its glass construction, officers carefully shattered one side to free the adventurous toddler.

Despite the unexpected adventure, Ethan emerged unharmed, showcasing the resilience and curiosity inherent in young explorers.