Deaths ‘shatter’ Dreamworld
AUSTRALIA: The mother of two of the victims of the Dreamworld ride tragedy is reportedly furious that no one from the company that owns the theme park has contacted her directly.
Speaking at a press conference following Ardent Leisure’s AGM yesterday, an emotional CEO Deborah Thomas said the company had tried to reach out to the families through Queensland police.
But a reporter who had been in contact with Karen Dorsett, mother of two of the victims, told Thomas the family was angry no one from Ardent had contacted them directly.
Told that Dorsett was watching the televised press conference, Ms Thomas addressed her and her family.
‘‘I would like to say to Mrs Dorsett my sincere sympathies for what you must be going through, and on behalf of the staff and management at Ardent and Dreamworld, that our hearts and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time,’’ she said.
‘‘I will be calling you to see what assistance we can offer you.’’
Dorsett’s children, Kate Goodchild, 32, and Luke Dorsett, 35, were killed, alongside Dorsett’s partner Roozbeh Araghi, 38, and Sydney woman Cindy Low, 42.
They died when a raft they were in on the Thunder River Rapids ride flipped backwards on Tuesday. Low’s son and Goodchild’s daughter survived in what police have described as a near miracle.
Thomas said all at the company were ‘‘shattered’’ by the disaster and she wanted to personally help the grieving families.
‘‘I am a mother, I have a family. I take my family to Dreamworld,’’ she said.
‘‘This could have been my family and I am completely sympathetic to what they must be going through.
‘‘I hope that I will be able to help them and if I can’t help them personally, we will make sure we have everything in place to assist them through this tragedy.’’
This would include counsellors and financial assistance for the immediate needs of the family.
Dreamworld will hold a memorial day today but will not reopen until next week. The Thunder River Rapids Ride could remain closed for years.
Ardent Leisure chairman Neil Balnaves told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting the ride would not be reopened until after coronial investigation is completed,
Dreamworld defended its safety record against attacks from the the Australian Workers Union, which says it has been warning about problems at the park for years.
In a statement yesterday, the park questioned the motivation and timing of the AWU’s criticism
AWU secretary Ben Swan told AAP on Thursday Dreamworld’s comments are ‘‘totally offensive’’.
‘‘We are highly displeased that Dreamworld would try to turn this back on us, it shows their complete disregard for people’s safety,’’ Swan said. -AAP