Dreamworld victims died ‘almost instantly’
DREAMWORLD staff training, emergency procedures and maintenance of the ride that killed four people “almost instantly” will be the focus of a probe into their deaths.
The long-awaited inquest into the Gold Coast theme park tragedy could begin in less than two months and will investigate how and why Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi, along with Sydney mother of two Cindy Low, died when Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned in October 2016.
During a pre-inquest conference at the Brisbane Coroners Court yesterday, the court heard the group’s raft had almost reached the end of the ride before two large pumps failed, causing water levels in the water-rafting ride to drop.
Their raft collided with another raft before it was lifted and pulled vertically into the conveyor-belt mechanism, the court heard.
The court was told Ms Goodchild, Mr Dorsett, Mr Araghi and Ms Low were caught in the mechanism of the ride and were either trapped or thrown into the water.
Dreamworld staff who were operating the ride and nearby guests rushed to their aid before emergency services and the park’s safety officers were called.
“Each died almost instantly as a result of compressive and crushing injuries,” counsel assisting the coroner Ken Fleming QC said. Two children survived. The inquest into the deaths will be held on the Gold Coast in two parts – the first sitting to start as early as June and the second in either October or November this year.
By law, findings cannot include statements about wheth- er a person is criminally or civilly liable.
The inquest is expected to consider the gravity, scope and complexity of the disaster.
Emergency procedures, what could have been done to prevent the accident, construction, upgrades, safety and staffing of the ride will also be considered.
The second portion of the hearing is expected to examine whether laws should be changed to prevent a similar tragedy happening in the future.
Ms Low’s family said they hoped the inquest would provide answers and prevent another family going through “such enormous heartbreak”.
Outside court, Dreamworld boss Craig Davidson did not comment, but a spokeswoman said: “Everyone feels for the families.”
Barristers for the families have requested the inquest not to sit on the anniversary of the four deaths. The next pre-inquest conference will be held at Southport on May 25.