Thunder River Rapids incident at Dreamworld

[joz]

Given it was mostly designed in house I don't think that's an argument they should run with.

[Jamberoo Fan]

9 minutes ago, Richard said:

Though the cause of the 1979 fire at Luna Park was never determined, the general consensus is either arson or electrical faults. Neither of these really fall into what I would class as a typical theme park incident, in the same way that a tidal wave or meteorite wouldn't be classed as a theme park incident

Arson/electrical faults surely could be counted as a 'typical theme park incident' due to possibly poor park security/maintenance particularly for a dark ride in a show building like the Ghost Train? 

I read the Ghost Train fire findings the other day and arson (deliberate fire) was ruled out by the way. Accidental fire was considered a possible cause though and that would definitely not be classed as a 'typical theme park incident' as it was outside of the Park's control.  I do note the findings said the fire started near a imitation fire, which if that was the cause of the fire (even if it was accidental), may see it classed as a 'typical theme park incident' as it involved part of the ride.

[Richard]

The Coroner's inquest only dismisses a statement made regarding arson rather than ruling out the idea of arson as such. The findings are inconclusive but they do rule out any faults with the ride system.

A completely different set of circumstances and a vastly different era for safety standards that I think separates the Ghost Train incident from most "typical" theme park incidents. I don't really think comparing or ranking these two against each other really offers any meaningful insight.

[Jamberoo Fan]

1 hour ago, Richard said:

The Coroner's inquest only dismisses a statement made regarding arson rather than ruling out the idea of arson as such.

Yeah, I knew that but given they didn't mention arson again I believe & they focused more on discarded cigarettes/rubbish, I think they were leaning towards an accidental fire as one of the possible causes and ruled a deliberate fire out without implying it (otherwise they would've mentioned any more information that increases the likelihood of arson as the cause straight after that sentence about the arson statement).

1 hour ago, Richard said:

A completely different set of circumstances and a vastly different era for safety standards that I think separates the Ghost Train incident from most "typical" theme park incidents. 

Just to clarify, how do you define 'typical'? Either way, I don't think the safety standards of 1979 would mean the Ghost Train fire is different from a 'typical' theme park incident as it only just changes what can be considered 'typical' as the hazard levels are different.

Edited October 27, 2016 by Jamberoo Fan

[Richard]

Typical meaning an incident caused by a fault or flaw in the ride system itself, or its operating procedures. A fire caused by external factors is totally different to the failure of a ride system.

Luna Park's incident raised questions about fire safety in the broadest terms, not specific to amusement rides.

To use another analogy: would you consider a driver killed in a bridge collapse to have died in a car accident?

[Jamberoo Fan]

Yeah, I agree with your definition but not for 'typical theme park incidents' but for 'typical amusement ride incidents' instead.

Using the words 'theme parks' made it sound like you talking more broadly than amusement rides hence the small disagreement earlier. You were focusing on ride systems while I was thinking you were referring to general theme park management, which is what the public/media probably would see it as - particularly with the scale of the media's sensationalism in today's world.

If the fire wasn't caused by the ride system like the findings said, then it is not a 'typical amusement ride incident' like you said. It could be a 'typical theme park incident' though as it may have been due to staff ignoring park policies or not maintaining the non-ride system electrical systems to the standards of 1979. The findings did state there was a serious breach of duty of care by Luna Park in regards to fire safety which would be amountable to poor theme park management.

In the end, when the Ghost Train's enquiry began, no one knew any possible cause of the fire. This is the stage of enquiry that DW is in - no one knows how 1 raft blocked the path of another or why the conveyor belt didn't stop operating. For we all we know, Thunder River Rapids may have had no faults in the ride system or it's operating procedures, which would mean the current incident at hand doesn't meet your definition either. The way everyone is reacting now is probably how they were reacting in June 1979. That's why, at this stage, I think it is fair to compare the Ghost Train fire with the Thunder River Rapids incident as all we know are the basics which are the same in both cases so far - it involves fatalities on a ride at a theme park with only basic details of how the incident occurred.

Edited October 27, 2016 by Jamberoo Fan

[New display name]

DREAMWORLD will remain closed until after the funerals are held for the victims killed in Tuesday’s ride disaster.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday afternoon, CEO Craig Davidson confirmed the theme park would not reopen until the funerals of all four victims had been held and all investigations are completed.

Mr Davidson also invited the community to attend a second special candlelight vigil outside the park from 6pm tonight.

[razza1987]

31 minutes ago, YLFATEEKS said:

DREAMWORLD will remain closed until after the funerals are held for the victims killed in Tuesday’s ride disaster.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday afternoon, CEO Craig Davidson confirmed the theme park would not reopen until the funerals of all four victims had been held and all investigations are completed.

Mr Davidson also invited the community to attend a second special candlelight vigil outside the park from 6pm tonight.

 

“No parts of the park will open until at least after the funerals of the four people who tragically lost their lives” - Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson. 

"With regard to media reports about a Dreamworld worker making abhorrent comments on social media, I was sickened as much as everyone else when I heard this story. This man is not an employee of Dreamworld. We believe he was sub-contractor for a company who managed scaffolding for park refurbishment. He is not an engineer that has worked on rides." 

Report on 7 News at 6pm.

More: https://yhoo.it/2dQSW3P

#Dreamworld #7News

 

 

Edited October 28, 2016 by razza1987

[Brad2912]

Dreamworld Press Release

little blury in preview, but clear if you click on it 

Edited October 28, 2016 by Brad2912

[New display name]

@razza1987Why did you quote me?

[razza1987]

6 minutes ago, YLFATEEKS said:

@razza1987Why did you quote me?

I quoted you because what I was posting was directly about what you just posted 

[yoyo73]

I have tears for all involved. My heart goes out to them.  I have vowed to go back to the park after my daughter nearly drowned and staff did nothing even after I was screaming out to them and when I spoke to the park they did not care.  I will definitely never go back to the park now.

[Jamberoo Fan]

The ABC reported that the families weren't even contacted by the QLD Police nor could they communicate with the QLD Police themselves. QLD Police's response to the claim was:

Quote

Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd insisted police worked hard to identify the next of kin and advise them.

"We have been in contact and negotiation and support of those families from the start," he said.

Queensland Police said they would be urgently following up with the South-East Region police command about the process in notifying next of kin and liaising with each family of the victims.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ardent Leisure (soon to be officially called Main Event Entertainment) has also said (referring to the poor communication with the families):

Quote

"I would like to say if I haven't handed it as well as I could, we thought we were doing the right thing in terms of the way we approached it through police."

Also from the ABC:

Quote

Police investigation is 'growing in complexity'

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said specialist investigators had been brought in from multiple government agencies.

"That investigation is, to some degree, growing in complexity," he said.

Also, the ABC reported from the same article that the Dreamworld CEO said staff would continue to be paid while the park was closed.

Edited October 28, 2016 by Jamberoo Fan

[justaduck]

7 hours ago, Jamberoo Fan said:

 

Also, the ABC reported from the same article that the Dreamworld CEO said staff would continue to be paid while the park was closed.

Watching the press conference he didn't quite confirm they were being paid while the park is closed- rather that the staff were being "looked after" and there was still a lot of staff needed for work at the park in the meantime (for maintenance, gardens etc) 

[razza1987]

Latest Dreamworld statement:

 

[Theme Park Girl]

My daughter, best friend and I made the decision to stop by Dreamworld late yesterday afternoon to pay our respects before heading to MW. This was the second visit for me, and I was absolutely overwhelmed with how many more floral and candle tributes have been added by the community in the last couple of days, along with stuffed toys, cards and letters. 

It made for a beautiful but heartbreaking sunset. The lingering storm in the distance definitely set the bitter-sweet tone of the moment. 

Will be stopping by again tomorrow, on the request of both my kids whom have expressed an interest in wanting to add tributes of their own there for both families. 

Such a tragic situation overall. Still can't believe this has actually happened ???

 

Edited October 29, 2016 by Theme Park Girl

[Jamberoo Fan]

14 hours ago, justaduck said:

Watching the press conference he didn't quite confirm they were being paid while the park is closed- rather that the staff were being "looked after" and there was still a lot of staff needed for work at the park in the meantime (for maintenance, gardens etc) 

Given the situation, I don't think the Dreamworld CEO meant 'looked after' as in just emotional support. He would definitely be referring to financial support otherwise that wouldn't be 'looking after' them in such a difficult time. Anyway, if you read the media statement that @razza1987 recently shared, it does state very clearly that all staff will be paid during the park's closure.

Great photo @Theme Park Girl - I haven't seen any other photo that shows this much of the floral tributes etc.

[Jamberoo Fan]

Don't expect any aerial footage of the investigation's re-enactment (quote from Sky News):

Quote

Investigators closed the air space around the theme park while they undertook their re-enactment.

Edited November 1, 2016 by Jamberoo Fan

[bammrwolfe]

1 hour ago, Jamberoo Fan said:

Don't expect any aerial footage of the investigation's re-enactment (quote from Sky News):

I saw this on Twitter? I don't know if this was before or after they said the air space was closed, but they still were taking videos.

UPDATE: Found the video

 

 

Edited November 1, 2016 by bammrwolfe

[Brad2912]

4 minutes ago, RICK JAMES said:

Quote where i said someone should do it

Boom Boom. 2 posts, 2 doozies! Welcome

 

3 minutes ago, bammrwolfe said:

I saw this on Twitter? I don't know if this was before or after they said the air space was closed, but they still were taking videos.

https://twitter.com/7NewsQueensland/status/793365829660258304

 

There was another video with them moving the crash test dummies around on the platform for TRR but I think they may have deleted it. Looking for it now...

There is plenty of footage of them moving the dummy's around, filling them with water etc. Also footage of the water filling the troughs. Air space restrictions began once the dummy's were to be placed in the boats. 

 

[Jamberoo Fan]

Just now, RICK JAMES said:

Wouldn't stop someone with incredible guts hovering a drone though

Investigators are using drones in their investigation. An unauthorised drone would easily be spotted.

Just now, bammrwolfe said:

I don't know if this was before or after they said the air space was closed, but they still were taking videos.

I'd assume it is before. Re-enactments may take a few days depending on the complexity of the investigation and any re-enactment would see the ride operational. They wouldn't want images of an re-enactment being broadcast or published in the media. It may be distressing to a lot of people.

[Park Addict 93]

Similar to the email sent to passholders the following has been emailed to members today.

 

Quote

 

Dear Jordan

Re: Membership – Dreamworld 

As you may have heard, there was a tragic incident at Dreamworld on Tuesday 25 October. 

As a result, Dreamworld and WhiteWater World are closed until further notice.  Our hearts and thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy and Dreamworld are continuing to assist and work closely with the relevant authorities throughout the ongoing investigation.

Dreamworld are also doing whatever they can to support their guests and members. Their intention is that no customer or guest should be out of pocket.

As a Dreamworld Member, we have placed your account on hold and will extend your Membership to compensate for the period that Dreamworld does not operate. If you have made a payment between the 26^th October and the 28^th of October, 2016 your account will remain in credit. 

We also appreciate that a Membership extension may not suit everyone, so if you would prefer to cancel, please contact Debitsuccess Customer Service on 1800 148 848 or customerservice@debitsuccess.com by 30^th November, 2016.

When you contact us or email, please ensure you have ready the following information;

•  Purchasers name (this will be the Account holder and the only person authorised to discuss the account)
•  Purchaser details (Account number or Membership numbers)
•  Preferred form of contact (mobile number or email)

 Kind regards,

The Debitsuccess Team

 

 

[red dragin]

My boss has passes for his whole family, said they'll be taking the refund option. Like many, they are a bit too shaken by this. 

[New display name]

DW announced today that flowers laid outside the park by mourners in the days following the tragedy would be turned into a permanent living memorial inside the park.

He said Red Cross volunteers were caring for the tributes and would advise how best to use the flowers in the memorial.

Items such as cards and notes were being digitised by Dreamworld staff to be included.

[MasterCATZ]

There are heaps of deaths at DisneyLand its just hardly any of this information leaks out 

being the only difference is the depth of the owners pockets to make it go away ... 

 

I was a bit annoyed to find out about this via an over sea's paper

sad really not many places to visit in AU for a theme part treat .. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3872788/Dreamworld-never-open-employees-face-jail-safety-negligence.html?ito=social-facebook_Australia