Four people dead in accident at Dreamworld on Gold Coast
HORROR scenes with four people dead after a major accident on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast this afternoon.
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FOUR people are dead after a major accident on a ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast this afternoon.
The horror accident happened just after 2pm on the Thunder River Rapids ride which is a water-based raft ride using a conveyor belt.
Police have confirmed that four people - two men, aged 35 and 38, and two women aged 32 and 42 - have died in the accident.
Next of kin are still being notified but it is understood two of the victims were brother and sister.
Two riders were understood to be trapped by the underwater conveyor belt after the ride in front up-ended and two people were trapped in the raft. Two other riders were understood to have escaped.
The entire incident was caught on CCTV.
Emergency services swarmed the scene with police, firefighters and at least four ambulance crews at the theme park.
The water from the ride was drained in an effort to save the people and staff attempted to render first aid before paramedics arrived.
The park has been closed following the horror scenes and will remain closed tomorrow.
Workplace Health and Safety and the forensic crash unit are investigating.
Police are expected to remain at the park into this evening and heavy machinery will be used in the retrieval.
Theme park goers witnessed the tragedy.
“My sister and niece were on the ride, they are so traumatised, there is a woman hanging by her foot, crushed from the ride,” said one person.
A man who witnessed the incident said the ride flipped at the very end of its circuit.
The man, who declined to be named, said a girl was pulled from the ride just before it flipped.
Another witness Leah Capes said she was waiting near the ride entrance when people came running from the rapid ride line.
“The kids and people in there were screaming,” she said.
“It all happened so quickly,” said a shaken Ms Capes of Varsity Lakes.
“There were heaps of people crying, it all happened so fast
Some park attendees were not aware there had been an accident until they left the park.
#BREAKING: It's believed one person has died on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld. https://t.co/xz9WiwqNed #7News pic.twitter.com/8JKmE8Y4gH
— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) October 25, 2016
Park visitors poured through the front gates of Dreamworld after the park was closed about 3.30pm.
A loud speaker announcement that could also be heard outside the park directed people to leave through the front gates as soon as possible.
“If you witnessed anything near the rapids ride this afternoon and wish to speak to police please make your way towards guest services,” the announcement said.
Victorian tourist Lee Grogan said his family had been on the ride earlier that day.
“After we got off we watched from the bridge and a few cars were piling up,” he said.
Scores of people are waiting outside the park for buses to arrive.
Parkgoers have already taken to social media to express their shock with 1500m US Olympic gold medallist Matthew Centrowitz commenting ‘Dude, just got off a ride 15 mins ago that has 1 person seriously injured and 2 others trapped’.
Mayor Tom Tate said “This is a very sad day for our city.”
“Our thoughts are with the families of those affected – and the emergency staff in attendance.
“I urge everyone to show the respect needed as the relevant authorities undertake investigations in to what has occurred.
“A truly sad day for all.’’
RELATED: MAN SUES DREAMWORLD AFTERT FALLING OFF LOG RIDE
Dude! Just got off a ride 15 mins ago that has 1 person seriously injured & 2 others trapped 😧😓 #Dreamworld
— Matthew Centrowitz (@MattCentrowitz) October 25, 2016
Dreamworld issued a statement following the tragedy.
“Dreamworld is working as quickly as possible to establish the facts around the incident and is working closely with emergency authorities and police to do this,” the statement read.
“Dreamworld’s focus and priority is with the families of those involved in this tragedy and will be providing an update to the public as soon as information becomes available.”
Full rolling #Dreamworld coverage: https://t.co/9d3U9tBXJe @GCBulletin pic.twitter.com/rMUPw8G7Lg
— Nic McElroy (@Nic_McElroy) October 25, 2016
Shares in Ardent Leisure Group, which owns Dreamworld, plunged after the accident.
At 2.50pm, the share price started to fall, ending the day at $2.35, down 20c or 7.8 per cent.
The Thunder River Rapids Ride is currently Australia’s only river rapids ride and opened on December 11, 1986.
Riders board one of several six-person circular rafts.
Major incident at #Dreamwold. Four people are believed to be involved in an industrial incident. @GCBulletin pic.twitter.com/yJLrbprwV5
— Nic McElroy (@Nic_McElroy) October 25, 2016
The raft is dispatched and the riders travel back past the ride’s queue and into a cave.
Upon exiting the cave, riders experience the main rapids section of the ride. This section runs alongside a large water catchment which powers both the Thunder River Rapids Ride and the Rocky Hollow Log Ride.
The ride runs for 410m at speeds up to 45 km/h and has a height restriction of 120cms and age restriction of two years old.
It is one of the oldest and most popular rides at the park.
We are managing a serious incident at Dreamworld. There is nothing further we can confirm with any certainly right now.
— QESMedia (@QESMedia) October 25, 2016
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