A THEME park in the United States has shut down its river rapids ride in fears of a similar incident to Tuesday’s tragedy at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
Officials for Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa Bay, Florida, said the Congo River Rapids ride was closed “out of an abundance of caution” until officials in Queensland determined what caused four people to die on Dreamworld’s similar Thunder River Rapids ride, FOX 13 reported.
“We have made the decision to close our Congo River Rapids ride while we work with other park operators and ride manufacturers to understand what happened in Australia,” Busch Gardens spokeswoman Karen Varga-Sinka said.
Busch Gardens attracts more than 4 million visitors a year. Picture: Josh HallettSource:Flickr
The Congo River Rapids at Busch Gardens. Picture: Josh HallettSource:Flickr
“The safety of guests and team members continues to be Busch Gardens’ number one priority. All ride attractions are inspected daily by trained technicians to ensure they are operating properly and meet all safety guidelines set forth by state agencies as well as the ride manufacturers.”
Both rides use a conveyor belt to take riders in circular rafts along a fast-moving man-made river.
Busch Gardens is owned by Orlando-based company SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment and attracts more than four million visitors a year.
Two men and two women were killed when Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids ride overturned on Tuesday afternoon. Two of the riders drowned in the water and two others were crushed in the ride’s machinery when their raft collided with a second stationary raft.
Queensland emergency service personnel examine the scene of Tuesday’s tragedy. Picture: AAP/Dan PeledSource:AAP
Emergency services have suggested the incident was triggered by a pump malfunction, which is likely to be a focus of a coronial inquiry.
Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd told the Gold Coast Bulletin investigators were obtaining witness accounts that would form an important part of the brief to the coroner.
“It’s too early for us to say specifically what the cause was,” Mr Codd said.
“We will leave no stone unturned to get to the heart of what contributed to, or caused, this tragedy.”
The Australian Workers Union Queensland said it raised concerns about other rides at the park as recently as three weeks ago, although not about the Thunder River Rapids ride specifically.
Dreamworld has hit back at suggestions its rides were unsafe, saying the park was “fully compliant with safety certifications” at the time of the tragedy.