Thunder River Rapids Ride Explained

Thunder River Rapids Ride
Imagedimensions:250px
Location:Dreamworld (Australia)Dreamworld
Section:Town of Gold Rush
Coordinates:-27.8623°N 153.3152°W
Status:Removed
Replacement:Steel Taipan
Type:Raft
Model:Custom
Length M:410
Speed Km/H:45
Duration:4:10
Restriction Cm:120
Riders Per Row:2
Rows Per Boat:3
Custom Label 1:Website
Virtual Queue Name:Ride Express
Virtual Queue Image:Dreamworld Q4U availability.svg
Virtual Queue Status:available

The Thunder River Rapids Ride was a river rapid type water ride located in the Town of Gold Rush section of the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[1]

After four riders were killed on it in late October 2016, the ride was closed. On 9 November 2016, Ardent Leisures' CEO announced that the ride would not reopen, and was to be demolished. In October 2017, police recommended that no criminal charges be laid against any person in relation to the deaths.

History

Gold Rush Country (now known as the Town of Gold Rush) opened on 11 December 1986. The area featured the Eureka Mountain Mine Ride and the Thunder River Rapids Ride. Although resembling an Intamin River rapids ride, Thunder River Rapids was neither built nor supplied by Intamin. A Sydney-based company was commissioned to supply the vessels in 1983. The Thunder River Rapids Ride was among the most popular rides at Dreamworld until its closure.[2]

Characteristics

At the time of closure, Thunder River Rapids Ride was one of Dreamworld’s nine family rides alongside Dreamworld Express, Escape from Madagascar, Gingy’s Glider, MAD Jungle Jam, Rocky Hollow Log Ride, Shockwave, Skadoosh Bumper Cars, Vintage Car Adventure.[3] The ride consisted of several circular rafts which can carry up to 6 riders each.

The ride was long and had a maximum speed of . An entire cycle on the Thunder River Rapids Ride lasted approximately 4 minutes.

Ride experience

Queue

Riders entered a long indoor queue with several switchbacks. The queue then bridged across part of the ride's water storage area before reaching the circular station. This station originally featured a rotating platform which allowed riders to mount and dismount the boats without the need for the boats to stop.

Ride

Riders would board one of several six-person circular rafts.[4] The raft was dispatched and the riders travelled back past the ride's queue and into a cave. Upon exiting the cave, riders experienced the main rapids section of the ride. This section ran alongside a large water catchment which contained the water storage for the Thunder River Rapids Ride. The raft then went under the Eureka Mountain Mine Ride's station and headed back towards its own station. Before departing the ride, guests were brought back up to the level of the station by a conveyor belt.[5]

2016 fatal accident

2016 Thunder River Rapids Ride accident
Type:Amusement ride accident
Date:October 25, 2016
Location:Dreamworld, Gold Coast, Australia
Cause:Improper maintenance and lack of staff training
Reported Deaths:4
Verdict:Ardent Leisure fined A$3,600,000 for the breach of the Work Health and Safety Act
Coroner:James McDougall
Charges:3
Arrests:None

On 25 October 2016, a malfunction of the Thunder River Rapids Ride resulted in the deaths of four people. It is regarded as the worst accident at an Australian theme park since the 1979 Sydney Ghost Train fire at Luna Park Sydney.[6]

Due to the failure of one of the two large water pumps essential for the ride's operation, the water level in the ride dropped quickly, causing a raft, which was vacant, to become stranded on its support rails near the end of the raft conveyor, meaning that it was unable to reach the unloading area. Approximately one minute later, another raft, carrying six passengers, moved down the conveyor and collided with the stranded raft. Both rafts pivoted upwards, driven by movement of the conveyor, before the first raft fell back to a level position, resting on the support rails. The second raft was forced into a vertical position by the conveyor, and its passengers either fell out of the raft or became trapped close to the conveyor mechanism, resulting in fatal injuries to four passengers.

Once the conveyor had been shut down by park staff, the surviving passengers, both of whom were children, were able to climb out of the second raft, still in a vertical position, on to nearby platforms. The two survivors were reportedly to be physically unharmed, but were sent to hospital and offered counselling.[7] [8] More than seven paramedic crews had responded to the 000 call, along with firefighters and police.[9] They recovered the bodies of the deceased, which were badly disfigured from crush and compression injuries.[10]

Dreamworld released a statement on its website and Facebook page stating:

Dreamworld announced that the park would reopen on 28 October for a special memorial service for the victims.[11] However, the reopening to the public was subject to discussions with Queensland police as the ride was being treated as a crime scene.[12] The 28 October reopening was cancelled on 27 October.[13]

Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, offered his condolences to the families of those affected and promised support, financially and emotionally, to all those involved.[14] The Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, offered his condolences and support, releasing a statement via Twitter: "I'm very saddened by the tragedy at Dreamworld today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."[15]

On 29 October, the Queensland Government announced a "blitz" of safety inspections and an audit of state workplace health and safety laws.[16]

The Busch Gardens Tampa theme park in Florida, USA, shut its Congo River Rapids ride in response to the incident, until the cause of the Dreamworld had been determined.[17] [18] It was reopened on 26 October, after a review and safety check had been completed.[19] [20]

Permanent closure

On 9 November, Ardent Leisure chief executive, Deborah Thomas, announced that the Thunder River Rapids Ride would be permanently closed, out of respect to the victims and their families, and that they would be invited to help create a memorial in its place. The ride was dismantled and the location fenced off.[21] [22]

In a report to the Queensland Coroner in October 2017, police recommended that no criminal charges be laid against any person.[23]

Coroner's report

The Queensland Coroner, James McDougall, released a report on 24 February 2020, detailing "irresponsible", "dangerous" and "inadequate" safety practices at the theme park that contributed to the four deaths, and recommending the Queensland office of industrial relations consider a prosecution. The ride had endured frequent breakdowns in the days leading up to the accident, and had several design and construction problems which contributed to the accident.[24] and that:

Charges

On 21 July 2020, it was announced that three charges had been laid against Ardent Leisure, Dreamworld's parent company. The charges were filed by the Work Health and Safety prosecutor, under the Work Health and Safety Act, at the Brisbane Magistrates Court. The matter was first heard on July 29 in the Southport Magistrates Court.[25] On the day before the scheduled trial, on 28 July 2020, Ardent Leisure pleaded guilty to the charges.[26] Subsequently, in September 2020, they were fined $3.6 million (US$2.8 million) for the breach of the Work Health and Safety Act.[27] In addition, a settlement amount for $2.1 million was paid to the family of one of the victims.[28]

Aftermath

Thunder River's remaining structures were demolished in 2018.[29] On 23 August 2019, the park announced that a new roller coaster, Steel Taipan, would take its place in 2021 and also consume a portion of the area in use by the former Eureka Mountain Mine Ride.[30] In total, Ardent Leisure reportedly paid out more than $5 million in compensation to the families of the victims as well as to emergency responders and witnesses.[31] A memorial garden for the victims was built near the site of the Thunder River Rapids Ride.[32]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Park Map. Dreamworld. 20 November 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100326043422/http://www.dreamworld.com.au/Resources/Documents/DW-Info-Park-Map.pdf. 26 March 2010.
  2. Web site: Dreamworld History. Dreamworld. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812223945/http://www.dreamworld.com.au/schools/pdf/dw-schools-history.pdf. 12 August 2014. 20 November 2010.
  3. Web site: All Rides . Dreamworld . 23 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160123032812/https://www.dreamworld.com.au/rides. 23 January 2016.
  4. Web site: Thunder River Rapids (Dreamworld). Database Entry. Parkz. 20 November 2010. 22 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150322185739/http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/AU/Gold_Coast/Dreamworld/ride/7-Thunder_River_Rapids. live.
  5. Web site: Thunder River Rapids POV - Dreamworld, Australia. Video. YouTube. 20 November 2010. lollydove. 9 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20160702160530/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVsUy8OUses. 2 July 2016. dead.
  6. News: Ludlow . Mark . Marin-Guzman . David . Dreamworld's rapids ride different from others around the world . 2 November 2016 . . 2 November 2016 . 3 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161103132710/http://www.afr.com/news/dreamworlds-rapids-ride-different-from-others-around-the-world-20161101-gsfd07#ixzz4Os3aIXze . live .
  7. Web site: Wahlquist . Calla . Dreamworld tragedy: 'miracle escape' for two children on fatal theme park ride . The Guardian . 20 December 2022 . 26 October 2016 . 20 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221220042337/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/oct/26/dreamworld-accident-miracle-escape-for-two-children-on-fatal-theme-park-ride . live .
  8. Web site: Inquest into the deaths of Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Cindy Low & Roozbeh Araghi at Dreamworld, October 2016. Queensland Courts. 24 February 2020. 24 February 2020. 24 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200224092556/https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/641830/10545784-final-dreamworld-draft-6-for-upload.pdf. live.
  9. News: Dreamworld: Four people killed on Thunder River Rapids ride at Gold Coast theme park. 25 October 2016. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 October 2016. 17 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190617221459/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-25/four-people-dead-ride-at-dreamworld-gold-coast/7963880. live.
  10. Web site: The horrific images Dreamworld first responders saw on that disastrous Thunder River Rapids ride . 17 May 2021 . 17 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210517054234/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/the-horrific-images-dreamworld-first-responders-saw-on-that-disastrous-thunder-river-rapids-ride/V3UTCGAQROVPHYEVLUBLKSOHLE/ . live .
  11. News: Dreamworld to reopen on Friday for memorial service after ride tragedy. 9news.com.au. 26 October 2016. 26 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161026040044/http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/10/25/15/48/reports-of-at-least-one-dead-in-serious-dreamworld-ride-accident. live.
  12. News: Dreamworld accident: Qld Police to meet with theme park over reopening. Brisbane Times. 27 October 2016. 28 October 2016. 28 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161028234851/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/dreamworld-accident-qld-police-to-meet-with-theme-park-over-reopening-20161027-gsc0xw.html. live.
  13. News: Dreamworld's grim reopening cancelled at last minute . 27 October 2016 . news.com.au . 27 October 2016 . 28 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161028122041/http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/dreamworlds-macabre-reopening-in-doubt/news-story/64c94bac429cc0c21171b8222c0b76e4#itm=newscomau%7Cnews%7Cright-now-in-%7C0%7CDreamworld%20accident%3A%20Theme%20park%20no%20longer%20reopening%20on%20Frida...%7Cstory%7CDreamworld%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98culture%20of%20fear%E2%80%99&itmt=1477549240320 . live .
  14. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says "it's a very sad day for our city". 26 October 2016. ABC News. 26 October 2016. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161026231614/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-26/gold-coast-mayor-tom-tate-dreamworld-tragedy/7965504. live.
  15. Web site: Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) Twitter. twitter.com. 26 October 2016.
  16. News: Australian theme parks to undergo 'safety blitz' . News Limited . 29 October 2016 . NewsComAu . AAP . 29 October 2016 . "This is about protecting visitors to our theme parks and restoring public confidence in Queensland’s prime tourism assets" – Grace Grace (Queensland Industrial Relations Minister) . 30 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161030144021/http://www.news.com.au/national/australian-theme-parks-to-undergo-safety-blitz/news-story/3724f2ba0b87abc4ff37298fd7f89797 . live .
  17. News: McMah . Lauren . US theme park ride shuts down over Dreamworld tragedy . 30 October 2016 . NewsComAu . News Limited . 27 October 2016 . 30 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161030032328/http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/us-theme-park-ride-shuts-down-over-dreamworld-tragedy/news-story/c2b8a017511ff36ff54a576280e7d866 . live .
  18. News: US theme park temporarily shuts rapids ride. Branco. Jorge. 27 October 2016. Brisbane Times. en-US. 2016-11-06. 31 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161031013036/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/dreamworld-accident-busch-gardens-tampa-bay-shuts-rapids-ride-20161027-gsbuss.html?. live.
  19. News: Busch Gardens reopens Congo River Rapids ride . 26 October 2016. FOX13 News . en-US . 2016-11-06 . 7 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161107011747/http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/213733175-story . live.
  20. News: Busch Gardens closes 'Congo River Rapids' ride after deadly accident on similar ride in Australia . 26 October 2016 . WFTS . en-US . 2016-11-06 . 7 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161107012750/http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/busch-gardens-closes-congo-river-rapids-ride-after-deadly-accident-on-similar-ride-in-australia . live.
  21. News: The one thing you won't see at Dreamworld now it's open . Brook . Benedict . 10 December 2016 . new.com.au . 2016-12-21 . 22 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161222152151/http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/as-dreamworld-reopens-still-no-deadline-for-demolition-of-fatal-thunder-river-rapids-ride/news-story/a5c5ae31e6dc1fcec77a1a72503bd75e . live.
  22. News: Australia's Dreamworld theme park reopens after fatal accident but witnesses low attendance . Kishore . Divya . 10 December 2016 . International Business Times UK . 2016-12-21 . 22 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161222083537/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/australias-dreamworld-theme-park-reopens-after-fatal-accident-witnesses-low-attendance-1595814 . live.
  23. News: Stolz . Greg . Dreamworld tragedy: Police recommend Coronial hearing ahead of first anniversary of Thunder River Rapids incident . 22 October 2017 . couriermail.com.au . News Corp . 21 October 2017 . subscription . 10 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220310233536/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/dreamworld-tragedy-police-recommend-coronial-hearing-ahead-of-first-anniversary-of-thunder-river-rapids-incident/news-story/13dafa40526f79899a3a8dd3b245b381 . live .
  24. News: Smee . Ben . Dreamworld inquest findings: coroner details 'dangerous' safety practices after examining four deaths on ride . 24 February 2020 . theguardian.com . Guardian News & Media Limited . 24 February 2020 . 24 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200224044535/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/24/dreamworld-inquest-coroner-dangerous-thunder-river-rapids-ride-safety-practices-deaths . live .
  25. News: McKenna . Kate . Siganto . Talissa . and . Staff . Dreamworld parent company Ardent Leisure faces three charges over deadly ride accident . 21 July 2020 . www.abc.net.au . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 21 July 2020 . en-AU . 16 January 2024 . https://archive.today/20240116182903/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-21/dreamworld-ardent-leisure-charges/12475538 . live .
  26. News: Jose. Renju. Ardent Leisure pleads guilty in Australian court over Dreamworld fatal accident. 4 August 2020. www.reuters.com. Reuters. 28 July 2020. en-AU. 1 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200801091352/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ardent-leisure-lawsuit/ardent-leisure-pleads-guilty-in-australian-court-over-dreamworld-fatal-accident-idUSKCN24U04Y. live.
  27. News: Australian Associated Press. 2020-09-28. Dreamworld owner fined $3.6m over deaths of four people on Thunder River Rapids ride. en-GB. The Guardian. 2020-11-06. 0261-3077. 6 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201106204212/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/28/dreamworld-owner-fined-thunder-river-rapids-disaster. live.
  28. Web site: Martinich . Rex . 2022-12-22 . Dreamworld to pay $2.1m to family of Thunder River Rapids victim . 2022-12-22 . The Age . en . 22 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221222085518/https://www.theage.com.au/national/queensland/dreamworld-to-pay-2-1m-to-family-of-thunder-river-rapids-victim-20221222-p5c8c1.html . live .
  29. Web site: Thunder River Rapids Ride: Dreamworld ride torn down almost 18 months after four lives were lost at Gold Coast theme park. March 2018. 14 February 2021. 1 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301205113/https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/thunder-river-rapids-ride-dreamworld-ride-torn-down-almost-18-months-after-four-lives-were-lost-at-gold-coast-theme-park-ng-b88761503z. live.
  30. Web site: Parkz . It's Mack Time - Dreamworld's Steel Taipan roller coaster goes vertical . Parkz . 23 August 2021 . 13 April 2021 . 23 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210823051819/https://www.parkz.com.au/update/2021/04/13/707-Its_Mack_Time_-_Dreamworlds_Steel_Taipan_roller_coaster_goes_vertical.html . live .
  31. Web site: Cost of Dreamworld tragedy could reach $20 million . 9News . 20 December 2022 . 25 January 2020 . 20 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221220034813/https://www.9news.com.au/national/dreamworld-cost-of-2016-tragedy-could-reach-20-million/11234dc6-8bbd-41c8-a5d1-826fe15d1e22 . live .
  32. Web site: Parkz Members . Dreamworld Memorial Garden Open . 13 March 2022 . Parkz . 19 December 2022 . 19 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219054300/https://www.parkz.com.au/forums/topic/11026-dreamworld-memorial-garden-open/#comment-200925 . live .

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