Thunder River Rapids Ride: Difference between revisions

Add links
Coordinates: 27°51′44.44″S 153°18′54.85″E / 27.8623444°S 153.3152361°E / -27.8623444; 153.3152361
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 62: Line 62:
Riders board one of several six-person circular rafts.<ref name="Parkz River Rapids">{{cite web|title=Thunder River Rapids (Dreamworld)|url=http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/AU/Gold_Coast/Dreamworld/rides/7-Thunder-River-Rapids.html|work=Database Entry|publisher=Parkz|accessdate=20 November 2010}}</ref> The raft is dispatched and the riders travel back past the ride's queue and into a cave. Upon exiting the cave, riders experience the main rapids section of the ride. This section runs alongside a large water catchment which powers both the Thunder River Rapids Ride and the [[Rocky Hollow (Dreamworld)#Rocky Hollow Log Ride|Rocky Hollow Log Ride]]. The raft then goes under the [[Eureka Mountain Mine Ride]]'s station and heads back towards its own station. Before departing the ride, guests are brought back up to the level of the station by a [[conveyor belt]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Thunder River Rapids POV - Dreamworld, Australia |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVsUy8OUses|work=Video|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=20 November 2010|author=lollydove|date=9 September 2010}}</ref>
Riders board one of several six-person circular rafts.<ref name="Parkz River Rapids">{{cite web|title=Thunder River Rapids (Dreamworld)|url=http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/AU/Gold_Coast/Dreamworld/rides/7-Thunder-River-Rapids.html|work=Database Entry|publisher=Parkz|accessdate=20 November 2010}}</ref> The raft is dispatched and the riders travel back past the ride's queue and into a cave. Upon exiting the cave, riders experience the main rapids section of the ride. This section runs alongside a large water catchment which powers both the Thunder River Rapids Ride and the [[Rocky Hollow (Dreamworld)#Rocky Hollow Log Ride|Rocky Hollow Log Ride]]. The raft then goes under the [[Eureka Mountain Mine Ride]]'s station and heads back towards its own station. Before departing the ride, guests are brought back up to the level of the station by a [[conveyor belt]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Thunder River Rapids POV - Dreamworld, Australia |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVsUy8OUses|work=Video|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=20 November 2010|author=lollydove|date=9 September 2010}}</ref>


==2016 incident==
===2016 incident===
[[File:Thunder River Rapids Ride.jpg|thumb|6 person raft that carries passengers through the ride.]]
{{Main|Dreamworld#Thunder River Rapids Ride incident}}On 25 October 2016 at 2:20 pm AEST, four people were killed in an incident on the ride, on approach towards the unloading platform. A vacant raft had become stuck and the following raft, carrying four adults and two children, collided with it. The conveyor belt continued to push the second raft onto the front raft causing it to lift up and tip backwards with "persons being variously caught in machinery".<ref name="news26Ot16">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-police-share-details-of-how-the-thunder-river-rapids-ride-killed-four-people/news-story/bf66e6889091447199ec141ce7aa45af|title=Queensland Police share details of how the Thunder River Rapids ride killed four people|publisher=news.com.au|date=26 October 2016}}</ref> Two passengers were ejected from the raft, while the other four were trapped.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-26/girls-survived-dreamworld-rapids-ride-accident-which-killed-four/7965068|title=Dreamworld rapids ride: 'Miracle' that girls survived Queensland's worst theme park tragedy, police say|publisher=ABC News|date=26 October 2016}}</ref> The deceased were two women, aged 32 and 42, and two men, aged 35 and 38.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/queensland/dreamworld-accident-four-dead-at-gold-coast-theme-park-20161025-gsaarj|title=Dreamworld accident: four dead at Gold Coast theme park|author=Amy Mitchell-Whittington|date=24 October 2016}}</ref> A 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl who were on the same raft were thrown into the water but did not sustain serious injuries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/dreamworld-accident-son-saw-sydney-mother-cindy-low-die-in-theme-park-tragedy-20161025-gsappz.html|title=Son saw Sydney mother Cindy Low die in Dreamworld tragedy|last=Olding|first=Rachel|date=26 October 2016|work=|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-26|via=}}</ref>
On 25 October 2016, a malfunction of the [[Thunder River Rapids Ride]] resulted in the deaths of four people. For reasons yet to be determined, one of the rafts, which was unoccupied, became stuck at the bottom of a conveyer belt that transports the rafts to the area where passengers disembark. Another raft carrying six people then collided with it and flipped backwards. The victims bodies were removed after the water was drained from the ride in a retrieval that took several hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-25/four-people-dead-ride-at-dreamworld-gold-coast/7963880|title=Dreamworld: Four people killed on Thunder River Rapids ride at Gold Coast theme park|publisher=ABC News|date=25 October 2016|accessdate=25 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/dreamworld-emergency-person-unconscious-after-incident-on-ride-police-say-20161025-gsa7ek.html|title=Dreamworld deaths: Four fatalities in horror Thunder River Rapids accident|publisher=Brisbane Times|date=25 October 2016|accessdate=25 October 2016}}</ref>

Park operators immediately stopped the ride and started draining the river, over 7 paramedic crews responded to the 000 call along with firefighters and police.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-25/four-people-dead-ride-at-dreamworld-gold-coast/7963880|title='Everyone was screaming': Four dead in Dreamworld horror|date=25 October 2016|newspaper=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref> The recovery of the bodies went on into the early hours of the next morning with some paramedics requiring counselling due to the trauma of the scene.

Dreamworld released a statement on their website and Facebook page stating:
{{cquote|Dreamworld is currently closed until further notice due to a tragic incident at the park. We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident; our hearts and thoughts go out to the families involved and their loved ones.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dreamworld.com.au/|title=Gold Coast's BIGGEST Theme Park {{!}} Dreamworld|website=www.dreamworld.com.au|access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref>}}

Dreamworld announced that the park would reopen on 28 October for a special memorial service for the victims with public leaders and religious figures.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/10/25/15/48/reports-of-at-least-one-dead-in-serious-dreamworld-ride-accident|title=Dreamworld to reopen on Friday for memorial service after ride tragedy|newspaper=news|access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref> However the reopening to the public was subject to discussions with Queensland police as the ride was being treated as a crime scene.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/dreamworld-accident-qld-police-to-meet-with-theme-park-over-reopening-20161027-gsc0xw.html|title=Dreamworld accident: Qld Police to meet with theme park over reopening|publisher=Brisbane Times|date=27 October 2016}}</ref> The 28&nbsp;October reopening was cancelled on 27&nbsp;October.<ref name="news-com-cancel">{{cite news |title=Dreamworld’s grim reopening cancelled at last minute |url=http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/dreamworlds-macabre-reopening-in-doubt/news-story/64c94bac429cc0c21171b8222c0b76e4#itm=newscomau%7Cnews%7Cright-now-in-%7C0%7CDreamworld%20accident%3A%20Theme%20park%20no%20longer%20reopening%20on%20Frida...%7Cstory%7CDreamworld%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%98culture%20of%20fear%E2%80%99&itmt=1477549240320 |accessdate=27 October 2016 |work=news.com.au |date=27 October 2016}}</ref>

Gold Coast Mayor [[Tom Tate]] offered his condolences to the families of those affected and extended any support financially and emotionally to all those involved.<ref>{{Citation|title=Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says "it's a very sad day for our city"|date=26 October 2016|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-26/gold-coast-mayor-tom-tate-dreamworld-tragedy/7965504|language=en-AU|accessdate=26 October 2016}}</ref> Australian Prime Minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] offered his condolences and support, releasing a statement via Twitter; "I'm very saddened by the tragedy at Dreamworld today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TurnbullMalcolm?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor|title=Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 19:33, 28 October 2016

This article is about the river rapids at Dreamworld. For the river rapids at three Six Flags amusement parks, see Thunder River (ride).
Thunder River Rapids Ride
The main rapids section of the Thunder River Rapids Ride.
Dreamworld
AreaTown of Gold Rush
Coordinates27°51′44.44″S 153°18′54.85″E / 27.8623444°S 153.3152361°E / -27.8623444; 153.3152361
StatusStanding But Not Operating (SBNO)[1]
Opening date11 December 1986 (1986-12-11)
General statistics
TypeRiver rafting ride
ModelCustom
Length410 m (1,350 ft)
Speed45 km/h (28 mph)
Duration4
Height restriction120 cm (3 ft 11 in)
WebsiteThunder River Rapids
Q4U available

The Thunder River Rapids Ride is a river rapid water ride located in the Town of Gold Rush section of Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Australia.[2] It was recently Australia's only river rapids ride; however, a previous Rapids ride, The Snowy River Rampage operated at Australia's Wonderland.

History

Gold Rush Country (now known as the Town of Gold Rush) opened on 11 December 1986. The area featured the Eureka Mountain Mine Ride and the Thunder River Rapids Ride. The Thunder River Rapids Ride continues to be the most popular ride at Dreamworld.[3]

Summary

The rapids are achieved by logs being attached to the base of a river channel.

Queue

Riders enter a long indoor queue with several switchbacks. The queue then bridges across part of the ride's water storage area before reaching the circular station. This station originally featured a rotating platform which allowed riders to mount and dismount the boats without the need for the boats to stop. This has since been decommissioned due to safety concerns.

Ride

Riders board one of several six-person circular rafts.[4] The raft is dispatched and the riders travel back past the ride's queue and into a cave. Upon exiting the cave, riders experience the main rapids section of the ride. This section runs alongside a large water catchment which powers both the Thunder River Rapids Ride and the Rocky Hollow Log Ride. The raft then goes under the Eureka Mountain Mine Ride's station and heads back towards its own station. Before departing the ride, guests are brought back up to the level of the station by a conveyor belt.[5]

2016 incident

6 person raft that carries passengers through the ride.

On 25 October 2016, a malfunction of the Thunder River Rapids Ride resulted in the deaths of four people. For reasons yet to be determined, one of the rafts, which was unoccupied, became stuck at the bottom of a conveyer belt that transports the rafts to the area where passengers disembark. Another raft carrying six people then collided with it and flipped backwards. The victims bodies were removed after the water was drained from the ride in a retrieval that took several hours.[6][7]

Park operators immediately stopped the ride and started draining the river, over 7 paramedic crews responded to the 000 call along with firefighters and police.[8] The recovery of the bodies went on into the early hours of the next morning with some paramedics requiring counselling due to the trauma of the scene.

Dreamworld released a statement on their website and Facebook page stating:

Dreamworld is currently closed until further notice due to a tragic incident at the park. We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident; our hearts and thoughts go out to the families involved and their loved ones.[9]

Dreamworld announced that the park would reopen on 28 October for a special memorial service for the victims with public leaders and religious figures.[10] However the reopening to the public was subject to discussions with Queensland police as the ride was being treated as a crime scene.[11] The 28 October reopening was cancelled on 27 October.[12]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate offered his condolences to the families of those affected and extended any support financially and emotionally to all those involved.[13] Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull offered his condolences and support, releasing a statement via Twitter; "I'm very saddened by the tragedy at Dreamworld today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."[14]

References

  1. ^ "Four people killed on Thunder River Rapids ride at Gold Coast theme park". Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Park Map" (PDF). Dreamworld. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  3. ^ "Dreamworld History" (PDF). Dreamworld. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  4. ^ "Thunder River Rapids (Dreamworld)". Database Entry. Parkz. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  5. ^ lollydove (9 September 2010). "Thunder River Rapids POV - Dreamworld, Australia". Video. YouTube. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  6. ^ "Dreamworld: Four people killed on Thunder River Rapids ride at Gold Coast theme park". ABC News. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Dreamworld deaths: Four fatalities in horror Thunder River Rapids accident". Brisbane Times. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  8. ^ "'Everyone was screaming': Four dead in Dreamworld horror". ABC News. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Gold Coast's BIGGEST Theme Park | Dreamworld". www.dreamworld.com.au. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Dreamworld to reopen on Friday for memorial service after ride tragedy". news. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  11. ^ "Dreamworld accident: Qld Police to meet with theme park over reopening". Brisbane Times. 27 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Dreamworld's grim reopening cancelled at last minute". news.com.au. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  13. ^ Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says "it's a very sad day for our city", 26 October 2016, retrieved 26 October 2016
  14. ^ "Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 26 October 2016.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thunder_River_Rapids_Ride&oldid=746662581"