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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/oct/25/dreamworld-four-people-critically-injured-at-australian-theme-park-live-updates
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Dreamworld: four confirmed dead at Australian theme park – latest updates | Dreamworld: four confirmed dead at Australian theme park – latest updates |
(35 minutes later) | |
8.09am BST | |
08:09 | |
QAS has addressed media following incident at #Dreamworld. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones at this very difficult time. pic.twitter.com/jL0ykfGkGU | |
8.04am BST | |
08:04 | |
What we know so far | |
Just recapping some of the details from that very brief press conference: | |
7.55am BST | |
07:55 | |
Here’s an aerial view of the Dreamworld site showing the location of the Thunder River Rapids Ride. | |
The 34-year-old ride is a staple for most families visiting the theme park, and Dreamworld is one of the most popular family holiday destinations on the east coast of Australia. | |
A number of people took to social media to register their shock at the incident. | |
Horrifying accident at Dreamworld. 4 people killed on ride. Thoughts with the families dealing with this tragedy. | |
Holy crap, I've been on that ride hundreds of times. My thoughts are with the family/ies :( #dreamworld | |
Is there an Australian on the east coast who doesn't have cherished memories of Dreamworld? :( This is so sad | |
That Dreamworld ride is literally the only one my parents ever allowed me to go on. | |
Today is a sad day in our history. It's very sad what happened. I was only on that ride last month. Praying for everyone. #dreamworld | |
7.52am BST | |
07:52 | |
Dreamworld CEO: "deeply shocked and saddened" | |
Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the accident on the Thunder River Rapids ride, which killed four people. | |
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman Gavin Fuller said an accident occured on the ride that caused “two people to be ejected from the ride, another two people were caught inside the ride.” | |
They were assessed by Queensland ambulance personnel and had all sustained injuries that were incompatible with life. | |
Fuller confirmed that two women and two men passed away. They are aged between 32 and their early 40s. They have not all been formally identified. | |
He would not comment in any detail on how or where they were trapped or the nature of their injuries. | |
Police inspector Todd Reid would not comment on whether the people were known to each other or whether they were with anyone else on the ride (the carriages carry six). | |
The incident will be subject to a coronial investigation. | |
7.39am BST | |
07:39 | |
Associated Press is reporting that two men and two women were killed. It’s understood they were all in their late 20s or older. | |
7.35am BST | |
07:35 | |
That planned press conference has now been put off until 4.45pm Queensland time (5.45 AEDT). | |
A spokeswoman from Dreamworld has told me that the park was closed soon after the accident and will remain closed tomorrow. | |
7.22am BST | 7.22am BST |
07:22 | 07:22 |
Police confirm four people have died | Police confirm four people have died |
Queensland Police have issued a statement confirming four adults have now died. | Queensland Police have issued a statement confirming four adults have now died. |
Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred this afternoon at a theme park on the Gold Coast. https://t.co/3buLSxa1qy | Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred this afternoon at a theme park on the Gold Coast. https://t.co/3buLSxa1qy |
The statement reads: | The statement reads: |
Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred this afternoon at a theme park on the Gold Coast. | Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred this afternoon at a theme park on the Gold Coast. |
Police were called to the site at Coomera around 2.20pm following reports that a number of people had been injured by a conveyor belt. | Police were called to the site at Coomera around 2.20pm following reports that a number of people had been injured by a conveyor belt. |
Four adults have been confirmed as being deceased. | Four adults have been confirmed as being deceased. |
Police and other emergency services remain on the scene and no further information can be released at this stage. | Police and other emergency services remain on the scene and no further information can be released at this stage. |
7.20am BST | 7.20am BST |
07:20 | 07:20 |
The Thunder River Rapids ride is described as one of the park’s family rides, open to children as young as two. | The Thunder River Rapids ride is described as one of the park’s family rides, open to children as young as two. |
It’s a water-based ride and passengers sit six to a craft. It’s described as a “moderate thrill” allowing passengers to “travel down a foamy water track past the Gold Rush Country, speeding up to 45 km/h through the turbulent rapids.” | It’s a water-based ride and passengers sit six to a craft. It’s described as a “moderate thrill” allowing passengers to “travel down a foamy water track past the Gold Rush Country, speeding up to 45 km/h through the turbulent rapids.” |
It is unclear exactly how the accident occurred, but there are reports the craft flipped and trapped the passengers. | It is unclear exactly how the accident occurred, but there are reports the craft flipped and trapped the passengers. |
7.14am BST | 7.14am BST |
07:14 | 07:14 |
Ambulance spokesman says they, Dreamworld and police will hold a combined press conference at approx 4.10 Qld time. @abcgoldcoast | Ambulance spokesman says they, Dreamworld and police will hold a combined press conference at approx 4.10 Qld time. @abcgoldcoast |
That’s 5.10pm AEDT (7.10am GMT). | That’s 5.10pm AEDT (7.10am GMT). |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.19am BST | at 7.19am BST |
7.11am BST | 7.11am BST |
07:11 | 07:11 |
The ABC is reporting that police will address media on the Gold Coast shortly. | The ABC is reporting that police will address media on the Gold Coast shortly. |
Again, Dreamworld has issued a statement confirming that three people died in the incident. | Again, Dreamworld has issued a statement confirming that three people died in the incident. |
The statement read: | The statement read: |
Dreamworld confirms there has been at least three fatalities at its theme park in Queensland today. | Dreamworld confirms there has been at least three fatalities at its theme park in Queensland today. |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. |
7.06am BST | 7.06am BST |
07:06 | 07:06 |
Dreamworld confirms three people have died | Dreamworld confirms three people have died |
Dreamworld has issued a statement confirming that three people died in an accident at the park this afternoon. | Dreamworld has issued a statement confirming that three people died in an accident at the park this afternoon. |
Statement from #Dreamworld. pic.twitter.com/lYahZICCG5 | Statement from #Dreamworld. pic.twitter.com/lYahZICCG5 |
Police and emergency services are yet to confirm that information. | Police and emergency services are yet to confirm that information. |
7.00am BST | 7.00am BST |
07:00 | 07:00 |
Queensland Police have just scuttled reports they are holding a press conference at 4pm (that’s local time, 5pm AEDT). | Queensland Police have just scuttled reports they are holding a press conference at 4pm (that’s local time, 5pm AEDT). |
We are not holding a press conference at 4pm. We will advise media when this time is set. We are also not confirming anything further. | We are not holding a press conference at 4pm. We will advise media when this time is set. We are also not confirming anything further. |
We are still assuming there will be a press conference at some point this afternoon. | We are still assuming there will be a press conference at some point this afternoon. |
6.57am BST | 6.57am BST |
06:57 | 06:57 |
Dreamworld is about 24km north of the Gold Coast and about 55km south of Brisbane. | Dreamworld is about 24km north of the Gold Coast and about 55km south of Brisbane. |
It’s the largest theme park in Australia and one of four theme parks on the Gold Coast. | It’s the largest theme park in Australia and one of four theme parks on the Gold Coast. |
6.52am BST | 6.52am BST |
06:52 | 06:52 |
The Gold Coast’s mayor, Tom Tate, has responded to the accident, describing it as “a truly sad day for us all.” | The Gold Coast’s mayor, Tom Tate, has responded to the accident, describing it as “a truly sad day for us all.” |
Gold Coast mayor responds to terrible incidents unfolding at #dreamworld right now pic.twitter.com/zpvPYWeVVN | Gold Coast mayor responds to terrible incidents unfolding at #dreamworld right now pic.twitter.com/zpvPYWeVVN |
6.50am BST | 6.50am BST |
06:50 | 06:50 |
According to the ABC’s Tom Forbes, visitors to the theme park are streaming out the front gates past a number of emergency vehicles, which are in the car park alongside the rapids ride. | According to the ABC’s Tom Forbes, visitors to the theme park are streaming out the front gates past a number of emergency vehicles, which are in the car park alongside the rapids ride. |
Forbes said police are expected to hold a press conference at 4pm. | Forbes said police are expected to hold a press conference at 4pm. |
A press conference will be held at Dreamworld at 4pm to update on incident. @abcgoldcoast pic.twitter.com/l1ecVWXReY | A press conference will be held at Dreamworld at 4pm to update on incident. @abcgoldcoast pic.twitter.com/l1ecVWXReY |
6.49am BST | 6.49am BST |
06:49 | 06:49 |
A number of Queensland media outlets are reporting that several people have died in the accident, but emergency services are yet to confirm. | A number of Queensland media outlets are reporting that several people have died in the accident, but emergency services are yet to confirm. |
We are expecting police to hold a press conference in the next half hour or so, at which point we might get official word. | We are expecting police to hold a press conference in the next half hour or so, at which point we might get official word. |
What does now appear consistent across reports is that the accident occurred on the Thunder River Rapids Ride, when a carriage flipped and crushed the passengers. | What does now appear consistent across reports is that the accident occurred on the Thunder River Rapids Ride, when a carriage flipped and crushed the passengers. |
6.35am BST | 6.35am BST |
06:35 | 06:35 |
Four people have been critically injured on a ride in Dreamworld in Australia. | Four people have been critically injured on a ride in Dreamworld in Australia. |
Police were called to the theme park in the Gold Coast in Queensland about 2.10pm. | Police were called to the theme park in the Gold Coast in Queensland about 2.10pm. |
Four people have been critically injured at #Dreamworld. There is nothing further we can confirm at this stage. | Four people have been critically injured at #Dreamworld. There is nothing further we can confirm at this stage. |
There are unconfirmed reports that some people may have died. | There are unconfirmed reports that some people may have died. |
At this stage, both police and Ambulance Queensland have said they are responding to a “multi-casualty event” and are unable to confirm details. | At this stage, both police and Ambulance Queensland have said they are responding to a “multi-casualty event” and are unable to confirm details. |
Dreamworld has yet to make a statement. | Dreamworld has yet to make a statement. |