4 critically injured in Australian theme park accident 

 

SYDNEY (AP) — Four people were critically injured in an accident at a theme park on Australia's east coast on Tuesday, officials said.

 

Queensland state police said all four were injured while on a ride at Dreamworld, a popular theme park on Queensland's Gold Coast.

 

Police spokesman Kieran Self said police did not yet have information on how the injuries occurred or what ride was involved.

 

Aerial footage of the park showed paramedics at the park's Thunder River Rapids ride, which whisks riders in circular rafts along a fast-moving, man-made river.

 

The Queensland Ambulance Service said paramedics were on the scene.

 

Dreamworld did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-10-25

At least three people killed on ride at Dreamworld on Australian Gold Coast, park confirms

 /BBC

SYDNEY (AP) - Officials say four people were killed in an accident at a theme park on Australia's east coast.

4 killed on river rapids ride at Australian theme park 

 

SYDNEY (AP) — Four people were killed on Tuesday in an accident at a popular theme park on Australia's east coast, officials said.

 

Two men and two women died while on a river rapids ride at Dreamworld, said Miche Paterson, a spokeswoman for the park, located on Queensland state's Gold Coast. She had no information on how the accident occurred.

 

The park was closed following the accident, Paterson said.

 

"Dreamworld is working as quickly as possible to establish the facts around the incident and is working closely with emergency authorities and police to do this," the park said in a statement.

 

Aerial footage of the park showed paramedics at the Thunder River Rapids ride, which whisks riders in circular rafts along a fast-moving, man-made river.

 

Queensland police said they were called to the scene following reports that several people had been injured by a conveyor belt.

 

"This is a very sad day for our city," Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the families of those affected — and the emergency staff in attendance."

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-10-25