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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 around 2:20 p.m.
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. 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.
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. 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.
Mr. Fuller said members of the park’s staff gave the victims first aid before paramedics arrived.
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. Tod Reid, a Queensland police inspector, said that an investigation was underway and that two women, ages 42 and 32, and two men, 38 and 35, had been killed on the ride.
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. Dreamworld said that the park would remain closed until further notice and that it was working with the authorities to determine what had happened.
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.” “Our immediate concern now is to support the families of the victims and to provide appropriate counseling to our visitors and staff,” the company said in a statement.
Dreamworld, described in the news media as the country’s most popular theme park, is one of a number of theme parks clustered at the northern end of the Gold Coast that help draw visitors to the area. Dreamworld says it attracts about 1.8 million guests a year.Dreamworld, described in the news media as the country’s most popular theme park, is one of a number of theme parks clustered at the northern end of the Gold Coast that help draw visitors to the area. Dreamworld says it attracts about 1.8 million guests a year.
The prime minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, said in a statement on Tuesday that he was saddened to learn of the accident.The prime minister of Australia, 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.”“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.”
Dreamworld, about 35 miles south of Brisbane, has a history of serious accidents. In June 2009, a helicopter operated by a contractor and carrying four passengers crashed into the parking lot while trying to land, and two of the passengers were seriously injured. An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that the pilot had taken off without sufficient fuel.Dreamworld, about 35 miles south of Brisbane, has a history of serious accidents. In June 2009, a helicopter operated by a contractor and carrying four passengers crashed into the parking lot while trying to land, and two of the passengers were seriously injured. An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that the pilot had taken off without sufficient fuel.
Two tiger handlers were hospitalized on two separate occasions in 2011, after being bitten by a Bengal tiger, according to news reports. And in April, reports said, a man was thrown from a log ride and taken to a hospital to be treated for cuts to his face.Two tiger handlers were hospitalized on two separate occasions in 2011, after being bitten by a Bengal tiger, according to news reports. And in April, reports said, a man was thrown from a log ride and taken to a hospital to be treated for cuts to his face.