Dreamworld deaths: Three of four dead were related

  • 26/10/2016
Cindy Low (supplied)
Cindy Low (supplied)

Kiwi woman Cindy Low has been confirmed as one of four people tragically killed in Tuesday's Dreamworld's ride accident on Australia's Gold Coast.

Ms Low, 42, was riding the Thunder River Rapids with her child, who miraculously survived the incident.

Dreamworld deaths: Three of four dead were related

Cindy Low (supplied)

Queensland Police say they believe Ms Low was a long-term resident of Australia - however, she was originally from Kawerau.

The three other victims were an Australian woman, her brother and his partner. All four were killed when one of the rafts on the Thunder River Rapids ride flipped over.

Luke Dorsett, 35, his sister Kate Goodchild, 32, and Mr Dorsett's partner, Roozi Araghi, 38, also died in the accident.

Dreamworld deaths: Three of four dead were related

Kate Goodchild (Facebook)

The siblings' mother, Kim Dorsett, told The Courier-Mail the family had gone to the theme park after extending their holiday an extra few days.

She said her "whole family has been wiped out" by the tragedy, which claimed the lives of two of her three children.

"I have two granddaughters - an eight-month-old and a 12-year-old - and it truly breaks my heart to know that my eight-month-old is never going to get to know her mum."

Dreamworld deaths: Three of four dead were related

Luke Dorsett (Facebook)

Ms Dorsett told The Courier-Mail her children were "wonderful" people.

"They were kind, loving souls that would honestly do anything for anyone."

Dreamworld deaths: Three of four dead were related

Roozi Araghi (Facebook)

The six-seater raft crashed into an empty, stationary one and flipped near the end of the ride, throwing several people and trapping two others.

Witnesses say Thunder River Rapids was closed for maintenance shortly before the fateful ride, but park officials were unable to confirm those reports.

According to the Daily Telegraph, two children were also on board and were thrown to safety. One of them is believed to be Ms Goodchild's elder daughter.

"The kids and people in there were screaming. It all happened so quickly. There were heaps of people crying. It all happened so fast."

She told Channel 7 she consoled a young girl at the scene who she believes was related to one of the people who died.

"We saw a little girl screaming for her mum... it was horrible," she said.

Ms Dorsett told The Courier-Mail her granddaughter is distraught.

"Like me, she is still coming to terms with it all but she is completely devastated - she is blaming herself for what has happened," she said.

"She has had a truly terrible day, she is going through unimaginable pain at the moment."

Heavy machinery had to be brought in to recover the bodies overnight.

Counselling has been organised for staff, patrons and emergency services who attended the scene.

An investigation into the event has been launched and Gold Coast police inspector Todd Reid says CCTV footage will be reviewed as part of it.

The park has been closed.

Newshub.