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Dreamworld Theme Park Accident Kills 4, Australian Officials Say Dreamworld Theme Park Accident Kills 4, Australian Officials Say
(35 minutes later)
Four people were killed on Tuesday in an accident on a ride at an Australian theme park, officials said.Four people were killed on Tuesday in an accident on a ride at an Australian theme park, officials said.
The incident occurred at Dreamworld, in the Gold Coast metropolitan area in the state of Queensland. Dreamworld’s chief executive, Craig Davidson, said at a news conference that the four people, all adults, had been killed on the Thunder River Rapids Ride about 2:20 p.m.The incident occurred at Dreamworld, in the Gold Coast metropolitan area in the state of Queensland. Dreamworld’s chief executive, Craig Davidson, said at a news conference that the four people, all adults, had been killed on the Thunder River Rapids Ride about 2:20 p.m.
Gavin Fuller, a spokesman for the Queensland Ambulance Service, said at the news conference that there had been “some sort of malfunction causing two people to be ejected” from the ride. The two other victims were “caught inside the ride,” he said. Two of the victims were men and the other two were women, he said. The company describes the ride on its website as a “white water rafting” adventure in which riders reach speeds of up to 28 miles an hour. The website said on Tuesday that the ride would be closed until November for what it described as annual maintenance.
Gavin Fuller, a spokesman for the Queensland Ambulance Service, said at the news conference that there had been “some sort of malfunction causing two people to be ejected” from the ride. The two other victims were “caught inside the ride,” he said. Two of the victims were men, and the other two were women, he said.
The Queensland Police Service said in a statement that officers had been called to the scene after reports that “a number of people had been injured by a conveyor belt.”The Queensland Police Service said in a statement that officers had been called to the scene after reports that “a number of people had been injured by a conveyor belt.”
Mr. Fuller said the victims ranged in age from 32 to their early 40s. He said members of the park’s staff gave them first aid before paramedics arrived.Mr. Fuller said the victims ranged in age from 32 to their early 40s. He said members of the park’s staff gave them first aid before paramedics arrived.
Tod Reid, a Queensland police inspector, said that an investigation was underway and that he could not yet comment on who the victims were or whether they were related.Tod Reid, a Queensland police inspector, said that an investigation was underway and that he could not yet comment on who the victims were or whether they were related.
Mr. Davidson said that the park had been closed and that the company was working with the authorities to “establish the facts around the incident.”Mr. Davidson said that the park had been closed and that the company was working with the 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.“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.
Dreamworld is about 35 miles south of Brisbane. The Australian news media described it as the country’s most popular theme park.Dreamworld is about 35 miles south of Brisbane. The Australian news media described it as the country’s most popular theme park.
Tom Tate, the Gold Coast mayor, appeared to address the accident in a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon. “This is a very sad day for our city,” he said. Australia’s prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said in a statement on Tuesday that he was saddened to learn of the accident.
“Theme parks are a place for family fun and happiness, not tragedy,” Mr. Turnbull said. “This is a very, very, sad, tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives.”