Dreamworld’s parent company, Ardent Leisure, could be fined $3 million if successfully prosecuted over the 2016 accident that claimed the four lives.

February 25, 2020

Dreamworld’s parent company and executives could be prosecuted over the 2016 accident that claimed four holidaymakers’ lives.

Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi died in October 2016 when the Gold Coast theme park’s Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned.

Coroner James McDougall delivered his inquest findings into the deaths on Monday, saying the park presented itself as a modern and world-class.

But its safety procedures were “frighteningly unsophisticated” and “rudimentary at best”.

He referred Ardent Leisure to the Office of Industrial Relations for possible prosecution under workplace laws.

The company could face fines of up to $3 million, with individual executives facing up to $600,000 and five years’ jail.

External engineer, Tom Polley, has also been referred to the Board of Professional Engineers for failing to properly inspect the ride.

More than a hundred people packed the Brisbane Coroners Court to hear the long-awaited findings.

All four victims died after being flung into a mechanised conveyor when their raft collided with another and partially flipped after the water pump failed, causing water levels to drop.

The malfunction was the third that day and the fifth in a week, and no automated shutdown function was installed despite recommendations.

Ms Low’s husband Mathew was scathing towards the theme park operators.

“Today’s findings have proven what was glaringly obvious. Dreamworld was a catastrophe waiting to happen because of their barefaced disregard for safety and maintenance,” he said in a statement.

“It is clear that ride maintenance, safety and emergency procedures, and a general negligent corporate culture toward training and safety caused the death of our loved ones.”