Search for tragic Dreamworld dad Dave Turner called off

The search for missing Dreamworld widower Dave Turner, who tragically witnessed his partner Kate Goodchild die, has been called off due to safety concerns.

A 10-day search for missing Dreamworld disaster survivor Dave Turner has been called off, with police still fearing he may have taken his own life.

Mr Turner witnessed his partner Kate Goodchild die in the 2016 Thunder River Rapids ride accident at the Gold Coast theme park, along with her brother Luke Dorsett, Mr Dorsett’s partner Roozi Araghi and NSW woman Cindy Low.

An extensive ground, air and water search for Mr Turner was launched on July 15, after his car was found at Uriarra Crossing near Canberra.

Police fear he may have entered the Murrumbidgee River but the search has been hampered by snow, rain and freezing water temperatures.

A distraught David Turner with Shayne Goodchild (right) reading a statement on behalf of the Turner, Goodchild and Dorsett families who were caught up in the Dreamworld disaster. picture: Ray Strange

An ACT policing spokesperson told The Courier-Mail the search had now been called off after ‘extensive’ efforts to locate Mr Turner, including a helicopter sweep last week of areas inaccessible to police and State Emergency Service volunteers.

“The man has not been located and concerns remain for his welfare,” the spokesperson said.

“Investigations into the matter indicate a likelihood that the man entered the river on the evening of the 15th of July. Due to recent rainfall and the increased water height and flow, police divers have not been able to enter the water

“As at Monday 26 July, 2021, the search was suspended. Further searches of the river area will be re-considered when the water level falls and it is safe to do so.

“Bushwalkers and property owners downstream of the Uriarra East Recreation Area are asked to be aware of and report anything that may be linked to the man’s disappearance.

“Anyone with any information in relation to the man’s disappearance is asked to call police on 131 444.”

David Turner, daughter Ebony and Kate Goodchild. Kate was killed when a ride malfunctioned at Dreamworld. Ebony was on the ride and survived.

Despite finding new love and remarrying, friends say Mr Turner never recovered from the trauma of the Dreamworld tragedy which claimed the life of his ‘soulmate’, Ms Goodchild.

Their 12-year-old daughter Ebony, who was on the ride, miraculously survived the calamity, which Mr Turner witnessed while minding her baby sister Evie in pram nearby.

He dived into the murky water several times in a desperate bid to save his partner, only to be pulled back by Dreamworld staff trying to shield him from the horror.

Mr Turner was later seen wandering the Dreamworld car park in a daze, shirtless and covered in mud and grease.

The inquest into the disaster heard that he yelled out to Dreamworld staff in anguish: “Why didn’t you stop the ride?”

Mr Turner’s mother, Gillian – who also tragically died last year – told media after the disaster that Kate had died in his arms.

Queensland Emergency service personnel are seen at amusement theme park Dreamworld after four adult victims who became trapped on the Thunder River Rapids ride. Pic: Dan Peled

“My son managed to get to Kate who died in his arms, with Kim (Dorsett, Kate and Luke’s mother) and my granddaughter (Ebony), screaming looking on,” she said at the time.

“I would like to believe that my 12-year-old granddaughter was saved so she could tell her little sister what a wonderful mum Kate was.”

Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure was fined a record $3.6 million last September after pleading guilty to breaching workplace health and safety laws over the Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy.

The fine followed a scathing report by Coroner James McDougall who found there had been a ‘systematic failure by Dreamworld in relation to all aspects of safety’ and referred Ardent for possible prosecution.

Mr Turner was one of the first parties to reach a settlement with Dreamworld’s owners Ardent Leisure, receiving a seven-figure payout before the inquest had even concluded.