Dreamworld: What we know so far about the Thunder Rapids tragedy
Updated
Four people are dead, their families and friends left devastated and the spotlight is firmly fixed on one of the Gold Coast's biggest tourist icons.
Here is what we know so far about the tragedy.
What happened when emergency services were called?
Paramedics and fire rescue units were called to Dreamworld about 2:30pm local time on Tuesday.
Initial reports suggested at least two people had been injured on a ride. Police also rushed to the scene, declaring the situation a "critical incident".
It soon emerged that the accident occurred at the Thunder River rapids ride, normally considered a child-friendly, water-based attraction designed to provide a "moderate thrill".
Witnesses said an empty raft became stuck, causing the raft behind with six people on board to jam against it and eventually flip back on itself.
Witness Lia Capes described the horror that unfolded in the immediate aftermath, saying "everyone was screaming". The park was evacuated.
By 4:00pm, it was confirmed that four adults had been killed.
Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said the park was working with authorities, and conveyed his sympathies to the victims' families.
Who were the victims?
The people killed on the ride were Canberra residents Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Sydney woman Cindy Low.
Ms Goodchild was at the park with her husband and two daughters. The young mother was in the raft with 12-year-old daughter Ebony when it flipped.
Mr Dorsett, who was Ms Goodchild's brother, was also in the vessel with his partner Mr Araghi.
Ms Low had come to Dreamworld with her son, daughter and husband. Ms Low was in the raft with her son, who was the other person to survive.
What is Dreamworld's safety record like?
The Australian Workers Union said it had expressed concerns about safety at Dreamworld, although not specifically with the Thunder Rapids ride.
The union said it lodged a safety complaint and sought documentation from Dreamworld's owners, Arden Leisure, but it was knocked back in court.
The park said Thunder Rapids passed a safety inspection less than a month before the accident.
But in the days that followed, more allegations about safety fears at Dreamworld came to light, forcing the park to defend its safety record.
Has anything similar happened?
Things have gone wrong at theme parks on the Gold Coast before, although never as tragic as this.
Samson Sherrin, 19, told the ABC he nearly drowned after falling from a different Dreamworld ride in April.
A helicopter joy flight crashed into Dreamworld's carpark in June 2009, but miraculously the four passengers and pilot escaped with minor injuries.
Meanwhile, customers over the years have been left stuck several times when rides at Gold Coast theme parks have broken down.
Elsewhere, eight-year-old girl Adelene Leong was killed when she was flung from a ride at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2014.
The nation's largest tragedy occurred in 1979, when six children and one adult were killed when Sydney's Luna Park's Ghost Train caught fire.
Why did the chief executive receive a bonus?
Coincidentally, Ardent Leisure's annual general meeting was due to be held two days after the tragedy.
According to company documents, the company made a statutory profit of $42.4 million in 2015-16, up 32 per cent on the previous year.
Shareholders were asked to vote on whether the chief executive Deborah Thomas was to be paid short and long-term performance bonuses. They backed both moves, but only 59 per cent were in favour of her receiving her long-term bonuses.
It meant Ms Thomas would soon receive $167,500 in cash — money she said would be donated entirely to the victims' families via the Red Cross.
Things heated up at a press conference when the Dorsett family texted a reporter, who conveyed to Ms Thomas that they were "furious" at the suggestion the family had been offered support from Dreamworld management.
"We didn't call the Dorsett family directly because we didn't know how to contact them, so we have been to the police liaison officer," Ms Thomas replied.
"I will not call her now in front of the media, but I am very happy to call her very soon after this meeting."
When will the park reopen?
Dreamworld management had wanted to reopen the park on Friday, less than three days after the tragedy. They planned to donate the proceeds from the day to the Red Cross.
However police, who are continuing to investigate the accident, expressed concern it was too soon.
Dreamworld cancelled the opening and now says the theme park is closed until further notice, to reopen after the funerals for the victims are held.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Government is launching what it calls a "safety blitz" audit of the state's theme parks, beginning at Dreamworld.
Topics: disasters-and-accidents, police, accidents---other, qld, helensvale-4212
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