Husbands watch in horror as tragedy hits
A DESPERATE Mathew Low could only watch helplessly as his wife Cindy was trapped and died on the conveyor belt in the Thunder River Rapids tragedy.
It has been revealed the couple, on holiday from Gosford, had planned on sharing one raft with their children but they became separated in the queue and Ms Low, 42, stepped into the doomed raft with their son Kieran, 10.
Four people died in the horror accident at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast on Tuesday when a sixperson craft flipped, throwing its occupants into the water.
As Mr Low was trapped on the ride with the couple’s daughter Isla, 6, metres away David Goodchild threw down his wallet and phone and raced to the capsized raft where his wife, Kate, 32, and daughter Ebony, 13, were among the six passengers.
Kieran and Ebony were thrown from the raft and suffered minor injuries in what police have described as a miracle but nothing could be done to save Ms Low, Ms Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, and his partner, Roozi Araghi, who all worked for the Federal Government.
Ms Goodchild’s father, Graham Goodchild, said yesterday his son was so distraught he could not talk about what happened.
Mr Goodchild Sr said he was waiting for his son to return home to Canberra last night with Ebony and their baby daughter, Evie.
“They haven’t even told us completely what happened but I know that tonight there will be two very traumatised children coming back home,” he said.
Mr Low had been at Kieran’s bedside at Gold Coast University Hospital before he was released yesterday.
The family, originally from Kawerau, on New Zealand’s South Island, had been living on the Central Coast for about 10 years and their relatives were last night travelling from New Zealand to comfort them.
Mr Low, a business systems specialist for hearing aid company Oticon, was in a state of “intense grief”, his workmates said.
“The family are traumatised, and kindly request that their privacy be respected,” the North Ryde company said.
Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell said the Lows came from “quite a large family” and the town was stunned.
“It’s a pretty tight-knit community here and we’ll all be gathering around and supporting the family as best we can,” Mr Campbell said.
Mr Araghi’s grieving father, Behrooz Araghi, found out about the tragedy from a news report.
He said his son and the Goodchilds had been in Queensland for a wedding and decided to squeeze in the trip to the theme park.
“We’ve lost one son — the mother of my son’s partner lost two,” said Mr Araghi, who lives in Sydney, said.
Roozi Araghi’s brother Simon took to Facebook to make an emotional tribute to his “most loved baby brother”.
“On behalf of my brother Dory and my family, I confirm the loss of our most loved ‘baby’ brother Roozi and his partner Luke and our lovely Kate,’’ Simon wrote.
“We appreciate all your support and would prefer to keep some privacy. We are all in shock and mourning.”
Labor senator Sam Dastyari revealed he had grown up alongside Mr Araghi and that his father, Behrooz, had played a critical role in bringing the Dastyari family to Australia from Iran.
“I’m devastated such a caring, loving, sweet and sensitive friend has been lost. I’m angry that this could happen,” Senator Dastyari wrote on Facebook.
The Department of Human Services said it was “in mourning” for Ms Goodchild and Mr Dorsett. “Kate and Luke were well-liked and respected by their colleagues and will be greatly missed,” department secretary Kathryn Campbell said.
Human Services Minister Alan Tudge said the brother and sister duo were “valued employees”.
“Employees are in shock and deeply distressed,” Mr Tudge said.
Ms Araghi’s employer, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, said he had a “rare ability” to communicate complex statistical matters.
“The ABS is devastated by the tragic loss of Roozi Araghi,” the statement said.