Dreamworld announce ‘permanent closure’ of ride involved in fatal incident

Ardent Leisure has announced that Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids ride, on which four people were killed on Tuesday 25th October, will be “permanently decommissioned.”

In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, Ardent Leisure Chief Executive Deborah Thomas announced “out of respect for the memories of Cindy Low, Roozi Araghi, Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett, and their deeply affected families, the ride will be permanently decommissioned.

“The closure of the ride is the only respectful and appropriate course of action.”

Whether the permanent closure of the ride will also see it demolished was not made clear but removal of the ride would remove an unfortunate reminder of tragedy for future guests.

Thomas also suggested it could be some time before the park is fully operational again, adding “no ride at Dreamworld will operate until the Workplace Health and Safety audit has been completed and unless it passes the multi-level internal and external review process.”

That process has been expanded to include an external review by Pitt & Sherry, a mechanical engineering firm that specialises in amusement rides and devices.

Commenting on this review, which is already underway, Thomas stated “Pitt & Sherry’s review will be further peer reviewed by an industry leading global theme park safety specialist.

“Dreamworld is also well progressed on an internal review of every ride in the Park, which includes reviewing all operating policies and procedures.

“In addition to these reviews, Dreamworld remains committed to working closely with the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland team."

Thomas said the families of the victims would be invited, at an appropriate time, to discuss “a fitting and permanent memorial to their loved ones.”

Image shows the Thunder River Rapids ride.

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