Dreamworld to reopen with charity event after fatal accident

  • 30/11/2016
Dreamworld will reopen on December 10 after rigorous safety audits (Getty)
Dreamworld will reopen on December 10 after rigorous safety audits (Getty)

Dreamworld has announced it will reopen its doors on December 10, beginning with a charity weekend to raise funds for those affected by the tragic ride malfunction in October.

The park was closed following a deadly accident on the Thunder River Rapids ride on October 25.

Four people were killed when their raft flipped backwards onto a conveyer belt after colliding with another raft that had become stuck.

The theme park announced on its website that it will reopen with an 'Open Hearts – Open Doors' charity event, during which the park will donate AUD$25 for every guest to the Australian Red Cross.

The park says the funds will be distributed to the families and those most affected by the tragedy through the GIVIT Appeal Independent Distribution Committee, which was set up in the wake of the accident.

Dreamworld says it has pledged along with parent company Ardent Leisure to assist the families as needed "both immediately after the incident and into the future".

"Our hearts and thoughts will always remain with those affected by the tragic incident last month," the park said in a statement on its website.

Siblings Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett were killed alongside Mr Dorsett's partner Roozi Araghi and New Zealander Cindy Low. Ms Goodchild's daughter and Ms Low's son were miraculously thrown to safety.

The theme park's reopening will follow the completion of a rigorous safety review, with inspections and audits done by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, ride engineering consultants Pitt & Sherry, international theme park safety specialists and Dreamworld's internal engineering review team.

All WhiteWater world attractions will reopen along with wildlife, entertainment and family attractions at Dreamworld. Other rides will progressively reopen as safety reviews are signed off.

The Thunder River Rapids ride is set to be permanently demolished out of respect for the victims and their families.

Ardent Leisure announced it will incur costs of approximately AUD$1.6 million (NZ$1.67 million) in the month of November in costs related to the tragedy.

Newshub.