Dreamworld inquest tragedy to be held in two parts this year

A PRE-INQUEST conference into the Dreamworld tragedy has heard that the failure of two water pumps, causing water levels to drop and a stranded raft, were the likely cause of the four deaths.

UPDATE: During a pre-inquest conference held in the Brisbane Coroners Court, the court heard the four people died “almost instantly” after being crushed when the ride, which had been a family-favourite at the park since 1986, malfunctioned 18 months ago.

The inquest heard the group were travelling in a raft together and almost reached the end of the ride before two large pumps failed causing water levels to drop.

Their raft collided with another raft before it was lifted and pulled vertically into the conveyor mechanism.

Ms Goodchild, Mr Dorsett, Mr Araghi and Ms Low were caught in the mechanism of the ride and were either trapped or thrown into the water, the court was told.

Two Dreamworld staff who were operating the ride, as well as nearby patrons, went to help and called emergency services and the park’s safety officers.

“Each died almost instantly as a result of compressive and crushing injuries,” counsel assisting the coroner Ken Fleming QC said.

Luke Dorsett.

Kate Goodchild.

EARLIER 11am: The long-awaited inquest into the Dreamworld tragedy will be held sometime between June and July this year and will consider staff training, ride maintenance and regulation of rides in Australia and overseas, the Coroners Court has heard.

Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi, along with Sydney woman Cindy Low, were killed when the popular Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned in October 2016.

During a pre-inquest conference held in Brisbane today, the court heard the four people died “almost instantly” after the ride malfunctioned almost two years ago.

The court heard an inquest into their deaths would be held in two parts — the first part to be held sometime between June and July 2018 and the second either in October or November and December, 2018.

Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson (centre) arrives with Ardent Leisure chairman Gary Weiss, right, and lawyers to the pre-inquest hearing into the fatal accident at the Dreamworld theme park. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

The first part of the inquest is expected to consider the gravity, scope and complexity of the disaster, as well as how and when the four people died.

The court heard the emergency procedures and what could have been done to prevent the accident, construction, safety and staffing of the ride would also be considered.

The second portion of the hearing is expected to examine the regulatory environment surrounding theme park ride standards in Queensland and internationally.

It will also investigate what legislative changes may be required to stop a similar tragedy happening in the future.

Police on the scene at Dreamworld in the days after the October 2016 tragedy. File picture

Witnesses have not yet been confirmed but police and Workplace Health and Safety Authority staff are expected to give evidence.

Outside court a spokeswoman for Ardent Leisure said the coronial process should be respected but that “everyone feels for the families”.

The next pre-inquest conference will be held on the Gold Coast on May 25.

‘Lives turned upside down’: The family of Dreamworld victim Cindy Low hope the inquest will provide answers.

The family of mother of two, Cindy Low, this morning said they hoped the inquest would provide answers and prevent another family going through “such enormous heartbreak”.

“Our lives were turned upside down that day by the loss of Cindy, we have spent each week and month comforting each other and learning how to live without her,” they said through a statement.