A New Zealand woman was one of four people killed in a tragic accident on a theme park ride in Australia.
Cindy Low died at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast when the Thunder River Rapids ride apparently malfunctioned about 2.20pm (local time) yesterday.
A collision between two rafts flipped one, throwing free two children and trapping four adults beneath it, Queensland assistant police commissioner Brian Codd told reporters. He said the adults became caught in the ride's machinery.
Ms Low, a 42-year-old expat, was originally from Kawerau. She was killed alongside Canberra residents Kate Goodchild (32), her brother Luke Dorsett (35) and his partner 38-year-old Roozbeh Araghi. Ms Low's 10-year-old son survived the ride, as did a 12-year-old girl.
"Ms Low's family was devastated by the tragic loss of partner and mother Cindy Low, who was killed in the catastrophic incident at Dreamworld," the family said in a statement.
"The family are traumatised, and kindly request that their privacy be respected as they try to come to terms with this tragic loss."
The ride, meant to simulate going over river rapids, uses round floating devices that seat six, and can reach speeds of 45km/h. It is described by Dreamworld as a "moderate thrill" attraction for those older than two.
The tragedy in the state of Queensland ranks among the world's deadliest theme park accidents.
Forensic police were examining the ride on Wednesday. They along with workplace safety authorities, who are also checking CCTV footage, will prepare a report for the state coroner, who will then decide if any charges should be laid.
The park will remain closed indefinitely, its operators said.
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) said it had raised "grave concerns" about safety at the theme park with authorities and the park operator as early as April 2015.
"We did hold some very grave concerns about the safety of equipment and the operation of equipment at that site," AWU state secretary Ben Swan told ABC radio.
Reports emerged last night that Dreamworld visitors said there had been problems on the ride earlier in the day. A witness told Nine News they were waiting for half an hour while engineers attended to the ride.
"They drained all the water out and then had to refill it back up, and then we were allowed to go. But yeah, we were stuck there for about 30 minutes at least," the witness said.
Another witness, Leah Capes, said she was waiting near the ride entrance when people came running from the rapids ride line.
"The kids and people in there were screaming. It all happened so quickly. There were heaps of people crying."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those whose lives were lost in this terrible accident," Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate issued a statement reflecting the community's shock at the news. "This is a very sad day for our city," he said. "Our thoughts are with the families of those affected - and the emergency staff in attendance."
A House of Travel spokesman said the Gold Coast was "probably New Zealand's most popular short-haul family holiday destination". Nearly 190,000 Kiwis travelled to the Gold Coast in the year to last March.
The same conveyor belt system used to operate the deadly Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld was to blame for a near death on a similar ride at the park in April this year.
The previous accident on the log ride nearly caused a man in his 30s to drown after the conveyor belt slipped and trapped him.
- NZ Herald and Reuters
