Clare community 'devastated' by death of Max Redden, 6, in playground accident at Farrell Flat A MID-NORTH community has been devastated by the death of six-year-old Max Redden, who died in a freak playground accident that occurred as families gathered for a tennis day. Community leaders and families have expressed sadness over the death, which occurred at the Farrell Flat golf and tennis club just after 4pm on Saturday. The family gathered at Mintaro today but were too distressed to speak publicly. Max, from Clare, was fatally injured when an unsecured freestanding metal slippery dip toppled on to him at a playground at the Farrell Flat golf and tennis club. It is believed he was one of four siblings and attended St Joseph's School at Clare. Max Redden was killed on Saturday when a slipper dip fell on him. Families, including members of the Mintaro Tennis Club, had gathered at the tennis club on the eastern edge of Farrell Flat, about 20km east of Clare, for the first round of competition in the Mid-North Tennis Association. Family friend Heather Pretlove said the community would rally around the Reddens, who are prominent and well respected throughout the Mid North. "They are the most beautiful family that you could come across," she said. This slippery dip at the Farrell Flat tennis club playground fell on a six-year-old boy, killing him. Picture: SA Police. It's such a tragedy and the whole community is just devastated. They are a really close-knit family. Farrell Flat Primary School principal Anne Heinrich said she had spoken to parents and children who were at the club when the accident occurred. It's shocking that something like this could happen ... It's not fair," she said. There were a few lads from my school here - they were inside when it happened - they're very distressed. (The tennis) was a real family thing. The slippery dip at the Farrell Flat tennis club playground, which fell on six-year-old Max Redden and killed him on Saturday. Picture: SA Police Mrs Heinrich said the metal slide had been there for about 20 years but the club and its facilities had not been used in some time. "They don't have enough members to facilitate a refurbish," she said. The tennis club has only just started to be used again after a few years. Despite the overgrown golf course and tired-looking tennis club, Mrs Heinrich said the slide in the adjacent playground had been checked by council and the club. "The council did check - the playground was checked," he said. Police seized the slippery dip late on Saturday as part of their investigation but have confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident. Clare Valley Mayor Allan Aughey said the death was devastating for the community. "It's very unfortunate and it's devastating," he said. Goyder Council Mayor Peter Mattey, whose jurisdiction covers Farrell Flat, said the accident was a tragedy. "My sympathy, certainly, goes out to the family and its connections," he said. Locals spoken to by The Advertiser were at a loss to explain how the accident could happen. Police are preparing a report for the Coroner. SafeWork SA said it was not investigating because the playground was not a workplace.