JARRAD BOYD
Four people have been killed at one of Australia’s most popular theme parks, Dreamworld.
Police were called to the Gold Coast theme park early Tuesday afternoon following reports that a number of people had been injured on one of the parks rides.
Speaking with the ABC, Police Inspector Tod Reid confirmed that a 42 year old woman, a 38 year old man, a 35 year old man and a 32 year old woman had been killed.
The four individuals were riding on one of the parks attractions, Thunder River Rapids when two of the individuals were thrown from the ride while the other two were believed to be trapped inside.
Initial reports suggest that one of the rides rafts was pushed into another causing one of the rafts to flip.
As reported by the ABC, Gavin Fuller of the Queensland Ambulance Service said that the injuries sustained by the individuals were extremely severe.
“Two males and two females, they were assessed by Queensland ambulance personnel and had all sustained injuries that were incompatible with living.”
Mr Fuller said that the Queensland Ambulance Service had multiple units at the scene of the incident, including paramedics.
Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said that the incident occurred at 2:20 pm and that the park would be closed to the public until further notice.
“At this stage, the park is closed and Dreamworld is working closely with police and emergency services and authorities to establish the facts around the incident.”
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this and our hearts and our thoughts go to the families involved and to their loved ones,” he said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull released a statement offering his condolences to the families of the victims as well as calling for a through investigation.
“I’m very saddened to learn of the tragic accident at Dreamworld earlier today,” he said.
“Theme parks are a place for family fun and happiness, not tragedy”.
“This is a very, very, sad, tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their lives”.
“This is a very sad day and we trust that there will be a thorough investigation into the causes of this accident in the days that follow,” he said.
