This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/world/australia/dreamworld-theme-park-accident-gold-coast.html

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Dreamworld Theme Park Accident Kills 4, Australian Officials Say Dreamworld Theme Park Accident Kills 4, Australian Officials Say
(35 minutes later)
Sydney — Four people were killed on Tuesday when a raft in an amusement park’s white-water attraction flipped over, trapping them in the ride’s machinery, the authorities said. SYDNEY, Australia — Four people were killed on Tuesday when a raft in an amusement park’s white-water attraction flipped over, trapping them in the ride’s machinery, the authorities said.
Two young girls who were riding with the four adults — two women and two men — managed to free themselves and survived, according to the police.Two young girls who were riding with the four adults — two women and two men — managed to free themselves and survived, according to the police.
The accident occurred at Dreamworld, a theme park in Queensland, on an adventure ride known as the Thunder River Rapids ride.The accident occurred at Dreamworld, a theme park in Queensland, on an adventure ride known as the Thunder River Rapids ride.
The four adults, who were in their thirties and forties, and the two girls, 10 and 13, were in a raft when it flipped over at the end of the ride, Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd of the Queensland Police said at a news conference.The four adults, who were in their thirties and forties, and the two girls, 10 and 13, were in a raft when it flipped over at the end of the ride, Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd of the Queensland Police said at a news conference.
The raft fell on top of the group, trapping them.The raft fell on top of the group, trapping them.
Assistant Commissioner Codd said it was unclear how the two girls had managed to escape. “It seems from what I have seen it is almost a miracle that anybody came out of that,” he said.Assistant Commissioner Codd said it was unclear how the two girls had managed to escape. “It seems from what I have seen it is almost a miracle that anybody came out of that,” he said.
The theme park is one of a cluster of parks at the northern end of the Queensland Gold Coast, which attracts millions of people every year. Dreamworld will remain closed while the police continue their investigation, Assistant Commissioner Codd said.The theme park is one of a cluster of parks at the northern end of the Queensland Gold Coast, which attracts millions of people every year. Dreamworld will remain closed while the police continue their investigation, Assistant Commissioner Codd said.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ardent Leisure Group, the company that owns the park, said it was working with the authorities to determine what had happened. “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 issued on Tuesday, Ardent Leisure Group, the company that owns the park, said it was working with the authorities to determine what had happened. “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.
Assistant Commissioner Codd said investigators and engineers would examine the ride’s circuitry, the company’s policies, maintenance schedules and how the ride was constructed and how it is operated.Assistant Commissioner Codd said investigators and engineers would examine the ride’s circuitry, the company’s policies, maintenance schedules and how the ride was constructed and how it is operated.
“If there is negligence that warrants being pursued then we will do that,” he said.“If there is negligence that warrants being pursued then we will do that,” he said.
The police declined to make public the names of the victims until their next of kin had been informed.The police declined to make public the names of the victims until their next of kin had been informed.
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. Two of the passengers were seriously injured. An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau determined 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. Two of the passengers were seriously injured. An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau determined that the pilot had taken off without sufficient fuel.
Two tiger handlers were hospitalized twice in 2011 after being bitten by a Bengal tiger, according to news outlets. And in April, local media reported, a man was thrown from a log ride. He was taken to a hospital to be treated for cuts to his face. Two tiger handlers were hospitalized in 2011 after being bitten by the same Bengal tiger on different occasions, according to news outlets. And in April, local media reported, a man was thrown from a log ride. He was taken to a hospital to be treated for cuts to his face.