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Faces of a tragedy: Dreamworld victims revealed
Wednesday, 26 Oct 2016 03:03:24 | Kathy McLeish
Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi were killed on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on October 25, 2016. (Facebook)
The names of three of the four people killed on Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride have been confirmed.
Key points:
- AWU lodged complaint about safety with Dreamworld owner 18 months ago after separate incident
- Union pushing for full inquiry into "very tragic event"
- Police, authorities continuing coronial investigation today
Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozbeh Araghi and a 42-year-old woman, yet to be identified, were killed when the 30-year-old family-friendly ride malfunctioned.
It is understood they were on holidays from Canberra.
Authorities believe two rafts on the ride hit one another and one raft tipped over.
Two people were flung from the raft and two became trapped on the ride's conveyor belt.
The incident was captured on CCTV footage, which police will use to get more information on how the ride malfunctioned.
Floral tributes were laid outside the Gold Coast theme park — which remains closed today — after investigators spent the night trying to piece together what happened.
Inspector Tod Reid said a coronial investigation was underway, and those who witnessed the incident are being offered counselling.
"We have specialist police here engaged with witnesses and those people are being offered support," he said.
Safety concerns held over other Dreamworld rides
An Australian Workers Union (AWU) official said it had held serious concerns about the operation and maintenance of some equipment last year.
What we know about the ride:
- Thunder River Rapids has been operating since 1986
- Dreamworld describes it as a "moderate thrill"
- Up to six people travel in circular rafts on large rubber tyres in rapid-flowing water
- Park rules specify riders must be at least 120cm tall
- It is regarded as a family-friendly ride
AWU Queensland secretary Ben Swan said he did not want to inflame the current situation and the union's concerns did not involve the same ride.
"We did hold some very grave concerns about safety of equipment and the operation of equipment," he said.
The union had lodged an initial complaint about safety 18 months ago with park owner Ardent Leisure after a separate industrial incident.
The made an application under right to information laws seeking the release of particular information from the division of Workplace Health and Safety, but that was opposed, Mr Swan said.
"I don't want to inflame the situation," he said.
"However we do think that in the interests of workers at that facility, but also to the patrons of that facility, people who visit it for an enjoyable experience, that it is important there is a full inquiry."
Thirty detectives at the scene
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was the worst theme park tragedy Queensland has seen.
"That is why this investigation needs to be thorough," she said.
"It is so serious the police have sent 30 detectives down there.
"The focus for the police today will be on the actual rides and the policies and procedures."
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was a dreadful accident at one of the Coast's most popular attractions.
He would not be drawn on whether the ride should be closed.
"Normally their maintenance schedule is world-class and this is one of those freak accidents," he said.
"When that's handed down we want to know exactly what's happened so that none of this will be repeated again."
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