Four die in rapids theme park ride

FOUR thrill seekers have been killed in a tragic accident on a river ride at a busy theme park.

Two men and two women died while on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

A malfunction on the ride, which whisks people in circular rafts along a fast-moving, manmade river, caused two people to be thrown from their raft, while two others were trapped in the ride.

Last night it wasn’t clear if the two victims who were caught in the ride were trapped underwater, or caught up in the machinery.

Park staff attended the scene and administered first aid to the victims, who were in their 30s and early 40s, but their injuries proved fatal.

Yesterday the theme park was closed following the accident.