Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids will be closed permanently

Dreamworld has this morning announced that their Thunder River Rapids ride will be permanently closed following the four tragic deaths it caused last month.

On 25 October, Canberra siblings, Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett, as well as Roozi Araghia, Mr Dorsett’s partner and Cindy Low, a Sydney woman, passed away on the ride when their raft flipped onto a conveyor belt.

“Out of respect for the memories of Cindy Low, Roozi Araghi, Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett, and their deeply affected families, the ride will be permanently decommissioned,” a Dreamworld statement by CEO of Dreamworld’s parent company, Ardent Leisure said. “The closure of the ride is the only respectful and appropriate course of action.”

Additionally, the statement said an invitation has been extended to the victims’ families to discuss creating a permanent memorial where people can pay their respects.

Dreamworld said none of their rides will reopen until a comprehensive Workplace Health and Safety audit has been completed. However, Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate said the company should get permission from the families of the four victims before reopening.

“It’s been a difficult time,” he told Sky News. “I’d leave that to the management of Dreamworld – they know what to do, but I would ask that they talk to the families and get their okay on that.”