Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Safety boss faces Dreamworld inquest
The former head of safety at Dreamworld parent company Ardent Leisure has begun giving evidence at an inquest into the deaths of four tourists at the park.
November 12, 2018
The former head of safety at Dreamworld parent company Ardent Leisure says the safety database at the adventure park was difficult to use and not popular with staff.
Angus Hutchings is the first Dreamworld official giving evidence at the resumption of the inquest on Monday into the deaths of four tourists on a ride at Australia’s biggest theme park.
Mr Hutchings told the inquest there was a safety database that recorded the park’s safety risks, and actions that could be taken to reduce them, but staff neglected to input information into it because the system was “archaic”.
Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi died when two rafts on the Thunder River Rapids ride flipped and crashed into each other in October 2016.
In earlier sittings, the inquest on the Gold Coast heard from staff who operated the ride on the day of the tragedy, those who were first to respond to the horrific scene and investigating authorities.
During cross-examination at a hearing last month, Dreamworld’s former operations manager, Troy Margetts, denied pressuring staff not to speak with police.
Four former park employees are suing Dreamworld for psychological injuries suffered on the day of the tragedy.
Mr Hutchings was made redundant by Ardent Leisure in July 2018.
The inquest continues.