Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids Ride crash kills four after car flips over on conveyor belt in Australia that nearly killed man six months ago
Two men and two women aged between 32 and 42 died after two were thrown clear of the ride, while the other two were left trapped inside
POLICE are combing CCTV footage for clues after two men and two women were killed in a horror accident when a ride flipped over at an Australian theme park.
The incident happened on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
Gavin Fuller of Queensland Ambulance said two of the victims were “ejected” after a “malfunction” on the ride - while two others were caught inside.
The two female victims were aged 32 and 42, and the men were aged 35 and 38.
Theme park staff were trying to help them when paramedics arrived — but Mr Fuller said their injuries were so severe they were “incompatible with life”.
Mr Fuller said first-response paramedics were deeply affected by the scene and were being counselled.
The coroner has now launched a probe into the cause of the fatal accident - which it has since emerged was captured on camera.
Queensland Police Inspector Rod Reid said CCTV footage will be reviewed overnight.
Forensic investigators are also on the scene, looking for clues as to the cause of the accident.
Insp Reid said: “We will be here for several hours. It is a complex retrieval involving heavy equipment that will take several hours.”
Cranes and heavy lifting gear are now being brought into the site to pull out the float the family had been riding on.
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Local news today reported the victims were four members of the same family, although this has not been confirmed.
Police refused to comment when asked the nature of the relationship between those killed.
Witnesses said they saw a young girl crying who they believed was connected to the victims.
“We saw people hysterically crying, running around...One of the daughters said it was her family,” a witness told Sky News.
And US Olympic gold medallist Matthew Centrowitz tweeted he was on the ride just minutes before the accident happened.
Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families involved and their loved ones.”
The park said it will be closed tomorrow while the cause of the accident is investigated.
It has since emerged that the conveyor belt system used to operate Thunder River Rapids was blamed for a near death on a similar ride at the park in April this year.
The previous “serious incident” on the Log Ride nearly caused a man in his 30s to drown after the conveyor belt slipped and trapped him, according to the Brisbane Courier Mail.
Workplace Queensland and independent inspectors were forced to give the ride the all clear before it was able to re-open again.
The Thunder River Rapids ride has been a cornerstone of Dreamworld’s attraction over its 34-year history.
Before it was pulled from Dreamworld’s website, the six-person ride was described as being “family-friendly for passengers over 120cm (3.9ft)”.
It is advertised to travel at speeds of up to 30mph through the rapids, before moving onto a conveyor belt that brings the craft up to the station level where passengers get off.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the tragedy 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.”
Mr Tate was due to visit Dreamworld on Tuesday night. He told news.com.au the city would do everything it could to help the families of the victims.
“I’m just shocked by it. People come to the Gold Coast to have a good time and have wonderful memories. This is the reverse of that.”
Australian Tourism Minister Kate Jones interrupted a tourism conference to announce the tragic news earlier.
"We believe that four people have died on the Gold Coast at Dreamworld," she told delegates.
Jones continued: "And I just think that on behalf of all the tourism operators that are here today, we just would like to pass on our wishes and prayers not only to our partners at Dreamworld but also to the family and friends of those that have lost loved ones.
"I just think it's important that we stand with our colleagues at Dreamworld at this sad time."
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also expressed his condolences to the friends and family of those involved and said there would be a thorough investigation.
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