Queensland

Dreamworld fatalities come after history of theme park accidents

A fatal accident at Dreamworld that has closed the theme park until further notice comes after a series of incidents have left visitors injured or stranded at the park over the past two decades.

The most recent unfolded six months ago, when a man almost drowned when he fell from the Rocky Hollow Log Ride.

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The other Dreamworld disasters

The rapid ride fatalities come after a string of safety problems at the theme park. Vision courtesy Seven Network.

The man swallowed water and was taken to hospital with cuts to his head when he fell from the ride on April 17.

Health and safety body WorkSafe investigated the incident and the ride was reopened two days later.

Dreamworld management will re-open the park’s Log Ride today having received the ‘all clear’ from independent and...

Posted by Dreamworld Australia on  Tuesday, 19 April 2016

The log ride is next to the BuzzSaw roller-coaster, which was shut down for more than a week in February 2015 after a problem with a safety harness was investigated.

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The Thunder River Rapids ride, on which four adults died on Tuesday in one of the worst Australian amusement park accidents, is in the same area of the theme park.

​In January 2004, about 50 people were trapped on cable cars in the park when a tree fell on the main cable suspending the ride in the air.

The scene at the Thunder Rapids ride after the accident.
The scene at the Thunder Rapids ride after the accident. Photo: AAP

Four years earlier, a problem with the gearbox on the WipeOut ride left thrillseekers stranded.

Dreamworld is not the only theme park on the Gold Coast to have had issues with its rides.

In 2000, a problem with the gearbox on the WipeOut ride left thrillseekers stranded.
In 2000, a problem with the gearbox on the WipeOut ride left thrillseekers stranded. Photo: ALLSPORT

Last month, a roller-coaster at Sea World stopped mid-ride and a group of teenagers were forced to wait until park staff could rescue them.

On Tuesday afternoon, emergency services rushed to Dreamworld's "Goldrush Country" area but two men and two women on the ride were unable to be revived.

The Giant Drop at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
The Giant Drop at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. Photo: Supplied

Multiple witnesses said there were problems with the ride on Tuesday morning, several hours before the fatal accident.

One girl told Nine News that engineers were called in to drain and inspect the ride.

Dreamworld chief executiveCraig Davidson addressed the media some hours after the fatal accident.
Dreamworld chief executiveCraig Davidson addressed the media some hours after the fatal accident. Photo: Seven News

"We were waiting there for about half an hour and the engineers had to come.

"They drained all the water out and then had to refill it back up. Then we were allowed to go. We were stuck there for about 30, 40 minutes at least," the witness told Nine News.

This was not the first safety incident to occur at one of Australia's premier theme parks.
This was not the first safety incident to occur at one of Australia's premier theme parks. Photo: Getty Images

Two other witnesses, New Zealand tourists Kaylah and Lisa Walker, said they lined up at the ride several times but it was broken down.

"We were standing on the bridge watching and the water had stopped," Lisa Walker said. "There was no rapids."

Dreamworld will remain closed after the tragedy.
Dreamworld will remain closed after the tragedy. Photo: Nine News

They said the incident happened about 10 minutes after they walked away.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said his park would remain closed until further notice.

"Dreamworld is working closely with police and emergency services and authorities to establish the facts around the incident," Mr Davidson said.