On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. (Ardent Leisure acquired Dreamworld in 1998.). [20], The Busch Gardens Tampa theme park in Florida, United States shut its Congo River Rapids ride in response to the incident, until the cause was determined. Michael Cook, brother of Cindy, said his grief over his sister's death had resulted in the loss of his long-term partner, he had become an alcoholic and was suicidal. draining the river, over 7 paramedic crews responded to the 000 call along with firefighters and police. The other two passengers, both children, were able to climb out of the raft, still in its vertical orientation, to nearby platforms once the conveyor had been shut down by ride staff. Queensland Coroner James McDougall's 274-page report laid bare systemic failures and a blind eye to safety from the top down at the company which ran Australia's largest theme park. "Talk about staff having to pee at their rides, leaving their rides unattended and even being hospitalised with a kidney infection because of personals (sic) taking too long," he wrote. Kate Goodchild was one of the four to die on the ride, Roozbeh Araghi died at the theme park on October 25 2016, Luke Dorsett fell from the raft to his death, The ride was shut down after the fatal incident, A makeshift floral tribute was created outside Dreamworld. [16] The 28 October reopening was cancelled on 27 October. ", For more incredible stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here. But Roddenberry's dreamworld helped show that advanced technology and space travel were not only possible but normal. draining the river, over 7 paramedic crews responded to the 000 call along with firefighters and police. Dreamworld which has always been the jewel in the crown of the Gold Coast theme park strip at Coomera would also build a memorial garden to honour those who died on the Thunder River Rapids ride. The four people killed on a ride at the Dreamworld theme park in 2016 died almost instantly, a preliminary hearing for the inquest has been told. Dreamworld's own safety guidelines warned that the rafts could, one way or another, potentially tip over (via ABC News). "The lead-up to this week has been incredibly distressing, it's a date that has played on their minds for nearly two years," she said. By 9NEWS. Matthew Low, the wife of Cindy, said his family, including two children, were grateful for the years they had spent together, but were still coming to terms with the loss. It was an extraordinary event," he said. SYDNEY - Four people were killed Tuesday after a river rapids ride malfunctioned at a popular theme park on Australias east coast, officials said. A boy's death this summer on Adventureland's Raging River ride wasn't unique: 21 serious accidents, 8 deaths have happened on rapids rides since 1984. [13] The recovery of the bodies went on into the early hours of the next morning with some paramedics requiring counselling due to the trauma of the scene. Mar 29, 2009. "I find that shoddy record-keeping was a contributing factor to this accident," he said. Kay Dibben Court reporter 2 min read The coroner's report makes sombre reading for a company that prided itself on being a modern, safe theme park operator. "We want to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.". Park operators stopped the ride and started draining the river, over 7 paramedic crews responded to the 000 call along with firefighters and police. The bodies were so disfigured, that there was nothing first responders could have done to save them (viaThe New Zealand Herald). Both rafts pivoted upwards driven by movement of the conveyor before the first raft fell back to a level position resting on support rails. [8], On 25 October 2016, a malfunction of the Thunder River Rapids Ride resulted in the deaths of four people. "But my major concern about this in regards to the point I am trying to make is that staff say, supervisors don't care they are just out to get you.". It was a savage rebuke to the listed company that such blatant disregard to safety could have been accepted and tolerated for decades. This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021. On 9 November 2016, Ardent Leisures' CEO announced that the ride would not reopen, and was to be demolished. This included removing some wooden slats on a conveyor belt at the end of the ride which created dangerously large gaps under which was machinery. For the river rapids at three Six Flags amusement parks, see. Shine Lawyers' solicitor Tina Ibraheem told news.com.au the four first responders' "level of trauma is beyond anything I have ever seen". WebFour former Dreamworld workers are suing the Gold Coast theme park, two years after they witnessed the entire horror of four people dying on the Thunder River Rapids ride. Tammy Law. The ride was 410 metres (1,350ft) long and had a maximum speed of 45 kilometres per hour (28mph). The deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi are under examination at a coronial inquest on the Gold Coast after the group were killed instantly when their raft collided with an empty vessel and flipped backwards in October 2016. The post-mortem examination revealed the presence of severe chest and abdominal injuries. Dan Peled - AAP. The four people killed on a ride at the Dreamworld theme park in 2016 died almost instantly, a preliminary hearing for the inquest has been told. Long-term safety manager Bob Tan had made a chilling warning in 2014 after a serious safety breach in which a raft almost flipped. The matter was first heard on July 29 in Southport Magistrates Court. #14. [27], The Queensland Coroner, James McDougall, released a report on 24 February 2020 detailing "irresponsible", "dangerous" and "inadequate" safety practices at the theme park that contributed to the four deaths, while recommending the Queensland office of industrial relations consider a prosecution. The Thunder River Rapids ride has been a cornerstone of Dreamworlds attraction over its 30-plus-year history. The water pump on the Thunder River Rapids ride would fail for a third time that day, but this time with fatal consequences. All four adults died yet the two children on board, aged 10 and 12, were able to climb out of the raft as it remained wedged vertically on its side. [citation needed]. A pair of children miraculously managed to survive the fatal incident at Dreamworld Australia, which was caused by the Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioning. Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure was fined a record A$3.6 million last September after pleading guilty to breaching workplace health and safety laws over the Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy. Weiss and Johnson did the right thing to front up to the handing down of the coroner's finding. Tweet. Another paramedic who was one of the first on the scene said he did not immediately know a fourth person was trapped underwater. Four people were killed while riding the Thunder River Rapids at Dreamworld in 2016. But he said he had never been told explicitly he could not attend to safety issues due to monetary factors. Ardent Leisure's share price plunged 17 per cent after the report was handed down. Following a four year investigation, Ardent Leisure which owns Australia's biggest theme park, was fined $3.6 million (2 million) over the horrific deaths. This station originally featured a rotating platform which allowed riders to mount and dismount the boats without the need for the boats to stop. The 18-year-old's body was found days later, in a shallow grave. The operator of Australia's Dreamworld theme park has been charged with safety breaches over a water ride malfunction that killed four people in 2016. "Nobody should ever have to see what they were confronted with when they entered that trench," Ms Ibraheem said. A band of abrasions and bruising were found across the upper and mid trunk, as well as the corresponding area across the left upper arm. But like many other safety checks on the 30-year-old ride, staff did their best to open the ride again as quickly as possible. "We are well progressed on the way to global best practice," Weiss told reporters. Trio arrested during crackdown fall foul of national security law. A boy's death this summer on Adventureland's Raging River ride wasn't unique: 21 serious accidents, 8 deaths have happened on rapids rides since 1984. It took emergency services including over seven paramedic crews until the early hours of the following morning to recover all of the severely disfigured casualties. Four people were crushed to death on a water ride at the Dreamworld theme park in 2016. The Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld has been closed following the deaths Two men and two women have been killed on a ride at a theme park on Australia's east coast. The bodies of four people who died at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast have been released to families for burial, Queensland police confirm. Ardent Leisure CEO John Osborne (left) and Chairman Gary Weiss (right) leave Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday after hearing the coroner's scathing report. "They operated the most iconic amusement park in the country, which targeted and attracted families. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. He lashed out at Ardent Leisure, the owner of Dreamworld, saying the "money-driven cowboys" only cared about getting visitors back to the theme park, which has been an Australian holiday favourite over the past three decades. The Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids ride. (Supplied) 'Our heart aches daily' The families of the victims were invited by the coroner to address the court before the findings were handed down. Attractions ranges from thrill rides such as The Claw and Pandamonium to family and kids attractions such as the Dreamworld Express and Sky Voyager.Among the 40+ attractions includes the world's "They would describe scenarios that were possible on the ride you know, pump stops and what you do, a guest falls in and what you do, a raft comes back and there's one less person, what you do," he said. Monday is the fifth year anniversary of a devastating theme park tragedy which claimed the lives of Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozbeh Araghi and Cindy Low. Develop WebThe Thunder River Rapids Ride was a river rapid type water ride located in the Town of Gold Rush section of the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. [30] On the day before the scheduled trial, on 28 July 2020, Ardent Leisure pleaded guilty in the action. Weiss said the company had agreed private financial settlements with a number of the victims' families. 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[29], he would refer Dreamworld's parent company, Ardent Leisure, to the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations. The other two passengers, both children, were able to climb out of the raft, still in its vertical orientation, to nearby platforms once the conveyor had been shut down by ride staff. The main rapids section of the Thunder River Rapids Ride. "Knowing her death could have been avoided is unacceptable and infuriating.". Record keeping by Ardent Leisure was described as "dire", "sparse" and "haphazard". 25 October 2016, 3:22 pm. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The fatal incident occurred after a water pump failed, dropping water levels and leaving a raft stranded on a conveyor belt. After four riders were killed on it in late October 2016, the ride was closed. Gold Rush Country (now known as the Town of Gold Rush) opened on 11 December 1986. According to the New Zealand Herald, operators failed to shut down the conveyor belt, which ultimately led to the collision and flip of the rafts. [23][24], On 9 November, Ardent Leisure chief executive Deborah Thomas announced that the ride would be permanently closed, out of respect to the victims and their families, and that they would be invited to help create a memorial in its place. "Ms Turner was held dangling in her seat by the velcro seatbelt and Roozi Araghi and Cindy Low seated at the rear of the raft were pulled into the moving components.". The queue then bridged across part of the ride's water storage area before reaching the circular station. In the more than 30 years of its existence, the ride had not been properly assessed (via BBC). The raft then went under the Eureka Mountain Mine Ride's station and headed back towards its own station. Following a four year investigation, Ardent Leisure which owns Australia's biggest theme park, was fined $3.6 million (2 million) over the horrific deaths. The other two passengers, both children, were able to climb out of the raft, still in its vertical orientation, to nearby platforms once the conveyor had been shut down by ride staff. [11][12] Help using this website - Accessibility statement. "When I was attempting to resuscitate the patient I had, I don't know if the water receded or the gentleman floated up, but there was another patient," Mr Clark said. Before departing the ride, guests were brought back up to the level of the station by a conveyor belt. Those on the second raft were not so lucky as it was dragged upright, forcing everyone to either fall out or become trapped between it and the conveyor mechanism. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. "It had broken down and we went back a couple of times to this particular ride," she said. WebA Dreamworld worker who pulled bodies from the water during the Thunder River Rapids disaster is suing the theme parks owners. Riders board one of several six-person circular rafts and can be as young as two years-old. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families that have lost their loved ones on the Thunder River Rapids Ride R.I.P. That time happened on October 25, 2016," he said. The biggest thrill was you might get a bit wet. But years of ad-hoc modifications to the ride which appeared to have been copied off similar rides in Europe and the US had turned it into a death trap. The deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi are under examination at a coronial inquest on the Gold Coast after the group were killed instantly when their raft collided with an empty vessel and flipped backwards in According to a Queensland Coroner's report handed down in Brisbane, on Monday, they died from severe internal and external injuries. Other Dreamworld staff and first responders tried to revive the four, but they were pronounced dead on the scene. Thunder River Rapids had already broken down twice. Thunder River Rapids Dreamworld . The Thunder River Rapids Ride is Australias only river rapids ride and opened in December 1986. This is regarded as the worst accident at an Australian theme park since the 1979 Sydney Ghost Train fire at Luna Park Sydney. After four riders were killed on it in late October 2016, the ride was closed. Buss was subsequently fired following an internal investigation by the Gold Coast theme park. The Thunder River Rapids Ride is Australias only river rapids ride and opened in December 1986. [35] A memorial garden for the victims was built near the site of the Thunder River Rapids Ride.[36]. "It was passed down from the management meeting that we would do it that way," Murphy said, adding he didn't know when the order to extend it from two break downs in one day had been made, or why. A boy's death this summer on Adventureland's Raging River ride wasn't unique: 21 serious accidents, 8 deaths have happened on rapids rides since 1984. [9] The final settlement amount for $2.1 million to the family of one of the victims. Attractions ranges from thrill rides such as The Claw and Pandamonium to family and kids attractions such as the Dreamworld Express and Sky Voyager.Among the 40+ attractions includes the world's "The victims' bodies were so badly disfigured from crush and compression injuries that these first aid officers were completely helpless, there was nothing they could do. The inquest was also shown a letter from on-site union representative, Jarad Drysdale, which was addressed to an email group titled "Dreamworld Operations Ideas". Rebecca Ramsey, a safety officer also working on the day of the 2016 incident, is also expected to give evidence. [6] The ride consisted of several circular rafts which can carry up to 6 riders each. On October 25 2016 one of the Thunder River Rapids ride's two large water pumps stopped working and so the water level suddenly dropped. The operator of Australia's Dreamworld theme park has been fined A$3.6m (2m; $2.5m) over the deaths of four people on a malfunctioning water ride. Advertisement. Business; Politics; Military; Elections; Law; Immigration; Technology. Then came another raft of six people about a minute later which crashed into it, before all 12 passengers found themselves being pulled upwards by the conveyor before the first raft stabilised on support rails. The operator of Australia's Dreamworld theme park has been fined A$3.6m (2m; $2.5m) over the deaths of four people on a malfunctioning water ride. The site of the river rapids ride in October 2020, now the site of. Maintenance planner Grant Naumann conceded issues such as pinch points had been overlooked with the 30-year-old ride before a malfunction in October 2016 led to the deaths of four visitors. The Most Interesting Articles, Mysteries and Discoveries. The second operator was 21-year-old Courtney Williams, who had only received training for the ride that morning. Riders board one of several six-person circular rafts and can be as young as two years-old. A raft, which was travelling up a ramp with wooden slats, stalled in the lowering water. Dreamworld's usually such a lovely park, but sadly not for everyone this week. She said the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor would have 12 months to decide what action would be taken against the owners of Dreamworld. The inquest into the deaths of four people on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld has been shown CCTV of the tragedy. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. "I shudder when I think if there had been guests on the rafts," Tan wrote in the email. "Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids Ride to be demolished after theme park deaths", "Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride that killed four people to be demolished", "Dreamworld's rapids ride different from others around the world", "Thunder River Rapids POV - Dreamworld, Australia", "Dreamworld owner fined $3.6m over deaths of four people on Thunder River Rapids ride", "Dreamworld: Four people killed on Thunder River Rapids ride at Gold Coast theme park", "Dreamworld tragedy: 'miracle escape' for two children on fatal theme park ride", "Inquest into the deaths of Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Cindy Low & Roozbeh Araghi at Dreamworld, October 2016", "The horrific images Dreamworld first responders saw on that disastrous Thunder River Rapids ride", "Gold Coast's BIGGEST Theme Park | Dreamworld", "Dreamworld to reopen on Friday for memorial service after ride tragedy", "Dreamworld accident: Qld Police to meet with theme park over reopening", "Dreamworld's grim reopening cancelled at last minute", "Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) | Twitter", "Australian theme parks to undergo 'safety blitz', "US theme park ride shuts down over Dreamworld tragedy", "US theme park temporarily shuts rapids ride", "Busch Gardens reopens Congo River Rapids ride", "Busch Gardens closes 'Congo River Rapids' ride after deadly accident on similar ride in Australia", "The one thing you won't see at Dreamworld now it's open", "Australia's Dreamworld theme park reopens after fatal accident but witnesses low attendance", "Dreamworld tragedy: Police recommend Coronial hearing ahead of first anniversary of Thunder River Rapids incident", "Dreamworld inquest findings: coroner details 'dangerous' safety practices after examining four deaths on ride", "Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids accident inquest findings handed down by coroner", "Dreamworld parent company Ardent Leisure faces three charges over deadly ride accident", "Ardent Leisure pleads guilty in Australian court over Dreamworld fatal accident", "Dreamworld to pay $2.1m to family of Thunder River Rapids victim", "Thunder River Rapids Ride: Dreamworld ride torn down almost 18 months after four lives were lost at Gold Coast theme park", "It's Mack Time - Dreamworld's Steel Taipan roller coaster goes vertical", "Cost of Dreamworld tragedy could reach $20 million", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thunder_River_Rapids_Ride&oldid=1131479427, Water rides manufactured by Dreamworld (Australia), All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Improper maintenance and lack of staff training, This page was last edited on 4 January 2023, at 10:00. A second raft collided with the first raft causing it to flip. A police officer who was exposed to four dead bodies after the Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy in 2016 is suing the theme parks parent company. This continued movement pulled the raft that had the four adults (names mentioned above) and two kids toward the mechanism. Three of the four workers will give evidence at the inquest into the October 2016 incident. For generations of families who have visited Dreamworld over the past few decades, the Thunder River Rapids ride was the go-to ride. Thunder River Rapids Dreamworld . He has been granted day-release, Woman with 'world's biggest lips' warned 'they'll burst' as she gets more fillers, Andrea Ivanova began getting lip fillers back in 2018, with the hopes of looking like a Bratz doll. A few hours earlier, at the coroner's invitation, the victim's families gave emotional tributes to their lost loved ones and the empty holes they have been left with following their passing. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Represented by Shine Lawyers, the four first responders say they are still psychologically damaged from trying to help the four people pinned. The three safety officers were part of Dreamworld's medical team and were called as soon as the ride flipped, crushing the four victims between the wooden conveyor belt and the raft. Mr Clark was rostered on as safety officer, stationed just 30 metres away from the entrance to the Thunder River Rapids ride on the day of the incident. Naumann had earlier said he believed some maintenance operations may have been deferred for budgetary reasons. Edit: Looks like two were crushed & the other two drowned after becoming stuck under the overturned raft if I'm not mistaken. Passengers would travel 30 mph on a 6-person raft before moving onto a conveyor belt that would bring them back up to the station they first entered from (via The Sun). If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. "If more regulatory action is needed, we will act swiftly," says Grace. Kim Dorsett who lost her son and daughter in the tragedy says she is haunted by the fact she wasn't there to help her daughter in her time of need. The inquest into the deaths of four people on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld has been shown CCTV of the tragedy. He said Ardent Leisure "may have committed an offence under workplace laws". The deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi are under examination at a coronial inquest on the Gold Coast after the group were killed instantly when their raft collided with an empty vessel and flipped backwards in A CT scan and toxicological testing was also conducted.7 26. It was later found that a water level sensor that could have prevented the accident would have cost less than $3,000. WebABOUT 2.15pm on Tuesday, a man called Ben was crossing a footbridge above Dreamworlds Thunder River Rapid Ride when he glanced down at a raft floating by. The ride was staffed by two operators, 38-year-old Peter Nemeth, an experienced ride operator who had worked at Dreamworld for four years. Key points: Dreamworld had a "systemic failure" in all safety aspects, coroner James McDougall ruled With a sombre black backdrop in an auditorium at Dreamworld, Weiss who Ardent Leisure spinners made clear was appointed in September 2017 made the solemn promise the company was aiming to be a global leader in safety. The recovery of the bodies went on into the early hours of the next morning with some paramedics requiring counseling due to the trauma of the scene. SYDNEY - Four people were killed Tuesday after a river rapids ride malfunctioned at a popular theme park on Australias east coast, officials said. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Three of the four workers will give evidence at the inquest into the October 2016 incident, that took the lives of Roozi Araghi, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and former Kawerau woman Cindy Low. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. #14. "It had broken down and we went back a couple of times to this particular ride," she said. "Such a culpable culture can exist only when leadership from the board down are careless in respect of safety. WebOmaha, retrieve Valkyrie's body and get her back to Dreamworld. Both rafts pivoted upwards driven by movement of the conveyor before the first raft fell back to a level position resting on support rails. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. By 9NEWS. There were already problems with the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on October 25, 2016, when the Goodchild, Dorsett and Low families arrived to experience one of the theme park's favourite rides. WebABOUT 2.15pm on Tuesday, a man called Ben was crossing a footbridge above Dreamworlds Thunder River Rapid Ride when he glanced down at a raft floating by. WebFour former Dreamworld workers are suing the Gold Coast theme park, two years after they witnessed the entire horror of four people dying on the Thunder River Rapids ride. Tributes to the victims outside Dreamworld. Shine Lawyers is representing safety officers Shane Green, John Clark and Rebecca Ramsey and engineer Paul Burke who have all left Dreamworld and are all involved in ongoing counselling. This ended up stranding the empty raft that the doomed raft eventually collided with. On that fateful day, however, that is not what happened. It's not clear whether Ardent Leisure has learnt all the lessons from the accident.