4 die in Dreamworld Gold Coast theme park accident when Thunder River Rapids ride flips

A Thunder River Rapids ride in Gold Coast’s Dreamworld theme park went wrong, killing at least four people. The ride, which travels at a maximum speed of 45 km/h through turbulent rapids, flipped over.

The accident involving the “moderate thrill ride” led to the closure of the park before 4 pm, ABC reports. The ride could seat up to six people who should be at least 120 cm tall. Thunder River Rapids is Australia’s only river rapids ride which opened in December 1986.

Initial reports said there were only three fatalities, but the Queensland Police later tweeted that the number of dead has gone up to four people, News.com.au reports.

Lia Capes, a park visitor who witnessed the accident, recalls she was about to go on the ride when she saw people crying and running out. She recalls seeing a little girl with her infant sister. A man she talked to saw a raft ahead of him flip over, followed by screams of people.

According to 9News, a conveyor belt at the theme park trapped people after their raft flipped on Tuesday afternoon. Dreamworld confirmed people died from the accident and it is working to establish what happened as well as working closely with emergency authorities and police.

In a statement, Dreamworld said, “Dreamworld's focus and priority is with the families of those involved in this tragedy and will be providing an update to the public as soon as information becomes available.”

Tom Tate, mayor of Gold Coast, said it is a sad day for the city. “Our thoughts are with the families of those affected - and the emergency staff in attendance,” the mayor said in a statement.

It was not the first accident involving the ride. In April, the Thunder River ride was closed for one weekend after a man nearly drowned.