4 Killed on Australian Park Ride

Four people have been killed on a ride at a theme park on Australia’s east coast, police and park officials say.

Two men and two women died in the Thunder River Rapids ride at DreamWorld on Queensland’s Gold Coast, a park spokeswoman said.

“The park in Coomera has been closed and an investigation is underway,” the spokeswoman added. DreamWorld bills itself as Australia’s biggest theme park with more than 50 rides and attractions. The Thunder River Rapids ride whisks visitors in circular rafts along a fast-moving artificial river, BBC reported.

Queensland Ambulance Spokesman Gavin Fuller said that two people had been thrown from the ride and two had been trapped inside. The theme park had earlier said it was “working as quickly as possible to establish the facts around the incident and is working closely with emergency authorities and police to do this”.

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

Craig Davidson, the head of Ardent Theme Parks, said they were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident.

Police inspector Todd Reid said a crime scene had been established and that the park was working with investigators.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was “a very sad day for our city”.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those affected and the emergency staff in attendance,” he added.