Man injured at Dreamworld on log ride relives trauma

A YOUNG man who fell from Dreamworld’s popular log ride earlier this year said he now realises how close he came to death.

Samson Sherrin, 19, Springfield Lake was injured on the Dreamworld Log Ride on the 17 April 2016. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

A YOUNG man who fell from Dreamworld’s popular log ride earlier this year said he now realises how close he came to death.

Samson Sherrin, 19, was left with hip and foot fractures, neck and head injuries and acute respiratory failure after he fell from the Rocky Hollow log ride on April 17.

The man, who was living on the Gold Coast at the time, also suffered pneumonia after he fell into the water and carriages continued to roll over him.

Samson Sherrin, 19, Springfield Lake was injured on the Dreamworld Log Ride on the April 17 2016. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

It was his first trip to the Gold Coast’s most famous theme park after moving to the area.

Mr Sherrin said Tuesday’s tragic accident at Dreamworld, in which four people died, caused him to relieve his own experience at the park.

“I was shocked,” Mr Sherrin said.

“My heart started racing.

“I’m still trying to get my head around that I could have been killed.

“I’m just so thankful.”

The 19-year-old plasterer, who now lives in Brisbane, had his clothing “ripped off” and suffered lacerations to his entire body when he fell from the ride.

Mr Sheerin said he had been seeking medical help for his psychological wellbeing following the accident.

“My psychological recovery has been very slow and I was really starting to get over things until it just all came back to me yesterday,” he said.

Samson Sherrin. Photo: Liam Kidston.

“It’s just so tragic.

“I can’t even begin to imagine what the families of the people who were killed are going through.

“I would never go there again and never take children there.”

Lawyer for Mr Sherrin, Sugath Wijedoru, of Littles Lawyers, said the firm was in pre-court talks with Dreamworld over the incident.

The Rocky Hollow Log Ride at Dreamworld (file picture). Picture: Mike Batterham

Mr Sherrin is still waiting on scans of his wrist and hip following the incident.

Workplace Health and Safety launched an investigation into the incident and yesterday said it had not been complete six months on.

In May, Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said there had never been another incident of the same “nature” on the ride during the 34 years it had been operating.

While the ride was closed for three days after the incident, Mr Davidson said it was given the all clear from “independent and Worksafe Queensland inspectors within 24 hours of the incident” for the ride to resume despite an investigation ongoing.

Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson lays flowers at a makeshift floral tribute at the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast. Picture: Patrick Hamilton

“No improvement notices were issued,” he said.

Mr Wijedoru said WHS could impose sanctions on Dreamworld following Tuesday’s fatal accident.

“The fact two incidents have occurred on rides at the park in the past six months may raise some questions,” he said.

The accredited personal injury specialist said nervous shock claims for people who saw the accident, or claims from family members of the deceased, could also be lodged.