Lawyers for the man who fell from the log ride at Dreamworld call for witnesses

LAWYERS for a man seriously injured when he fell from Dreamworld’s popular log ride claim he was left in the water while other carriages continued to roll over him.

Lawyers for the man who fell from the log ride at Dreamworld call for witnesses. Picture: Adam Head

LAWYERS for a man seriously injured when he fell from Dreamworld’s popular log ride claim he was left in the water while other carriages continued to roll over him.

Sugath Wijedoru, of Littles Lawyers, said the firm had begun investigating the incident that left Samson Sherrin, 19, with hip and foot fractures, neck and head injuries and acute respiratory failure.

Mr Wijedoru said the Southport man also suffered pneumonia as a result of the time he spent in the water.

Log ride at Dreamworld. Picture: Mike Batterham

Mr Sherrin fell out of Dreamworld’s popular log ride on April 17 this year. It was his first trip to the Gold Coast’s most famous theme park after moving to the area.

“My client was in hospital for a while after the incident and he is still in a bad way,” Mr Wijedoru said.

The accredited personal-­injury specialist said his client had his clothing “ripped off” and suffered lacerations to his entire body, including his groin area, when caught on the ride’s tracks waiting for operators to stop the ride.

“We are also investigating an issue in relation to the timeliness of Dreamworld staff coming to his assistance,” Mr Wijedoru said.

“He is also suffering psychiatric injuries due to the nature of the incident.”

It is claimed Mr Sherrin’s friends had to ask Dreamworld staff to stop the ride when they did not immediately go to his aid after the fall.

Workplace Health and Safety also launched an investigation into the incident.

Mr Wijedoru asked witnesses to the incident on the afternoon of Sunday, April 17, to contact Littles Lawyers.

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”.

“No improvement notices were issued,” he said.

“Guest safety has always been and remains Dreamworld’s number one priority.

“Our strict processes and procedures were followed at all times both during the incident and throughout the investigation that followed before reopening the ride.”

Mr Wijedoru would not disclose whether the parties were planning to sue Dreamworld over the incident following the investigation.