Four people have died in an accident at Dreamworld in which a raft on the Thunder River Rapids ride at the theme park flipped over, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.
Paramedics, fire crews and police were on scene at the Coomera theme park near the Gold Coast responding to reports received just after 2pm (local time) that a number of people had been injured by a conveyor belt.
“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 theme park said in a statement.
“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.”
“THE WHOLE THING FLIPPED OVER”
One woman who spoke to media at the theme park said a young girl was crying and being comforted at the ride.
“We think it was her mum that was involved,” the woman said.
“There was just police and lifeguards everywhere.
“It happened on the Rapids ride. I spoke to a guy and he said he looked behind and the whole thing flipped over.”
3 KILLED FROM SAME FAMILY
Another witness said she believed three adults involved in the accident were from the same extended family.
A concerned mother whose daughter was at Dreamworld at the time of the incident voiced relief to Facebook after she was told those involved were not children.
“Ok I’m here at [the] park and have been informed the [people] in the accident are over 30. Now [going] to find my girl. They are evacuating [the] park now. Thanks all,” she wrote.
“VERY SAD DAY”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was a “very sad day for our city”.
“Our thoughts are with the families of those affected – and the emergency staff in attendance,” he said.
“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.”
NEAR DROWNING AT SAME PARK
The incident comes about six months after a near-drowning on Dreamworld’s popular log ride, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.
A man was on the log ride when he fell out in April.
He was treated by the theme park’s medical staff after he swallowed water and suffered head cuts before paramedics arrived.
Read more here.
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