Thunder River Rapids Ride

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. Although resembling an Intamin River rapids ride, Thunder River Rapids was neither built nor supplied by Intamin. A Sydney-based company was commissioned to supply the vessels in 1983.[4] The Thunder River Rapids Ride was among the most popular rides at Dreamworld until its closure.[5]

At the time of closure, Thunder River Rapids Ride was one of Dreamworld’s nine family rides alongside Dreamworld Express, Escape from Madagascar, Gingy’s Glider, MAD Jungle Jam, Rocky Hollow Log Ride, Shockwave, Skadoosh Bumper Cars, Vintage Car Adventure.[6] The ride consisted of several circular rafts which can carry up to 6 riders each.

The ride was 410 metres (1,350 ft) long and had a maximum speed of 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph). An entire cycle on the Thunder River Rapids Ride lasted approximately 4 minutes.

2016 Thunder River Rapids Ride accident

The site of the river rapids ride in October 2020, now the site of Steel Taipan.
Date	October 25, 2016
Location	Dreamworld, Gold Coast, Australia
Type	Amusement ride accident
Cause	Improper maintenance and lack of staff training
Deaths	4
Coroner	James McDougall
Arrests	None
Charges	3
Verdict	Ardent Leisure fined A$3,600,000 for the breach of the Work Health and Safety Act[9]

On 25 October 2016, a malfunction of the Thunder River Rapids Ride resulted in the deaths of four people.[10] This is regarded as the worst accident at an Australian theme park since the 1979 Sydney Ghost Train fire at Luna Park Sydney.[4] Due to the failure of one of the two large water pumps essential for the ride's operation, the water level in the ride dropped quickly, causing a raft, which was occupied by six guests, to become stranded on support rails near the end of the raft conveyor and unable to reach the unloading area. Approximately one minute later, another raft carrying six passengers moved down the conveyor and collided with the first stranded raft. Both rafts pivoted upwards, driven by movement of the conveyor, before the first raft fell back to a level position resting on support rails. The second raft was further moved by the conveyor into a vertical position and subsequently caused passengers to either fall out of the raft or become trapped in close proximity to the conveyor mechanism, leading to fatal injuries for four passengers. The surviving passengers from the doomed raft, both children, were able to climb out of the raft, still in its vertical orientation, to nearby platforms once the conveyor had been shut down by ride staff. They were reportedly both physically unharmed; however, they were sent to hospital and offered counselling.[11][12] Park operators stopped the ride and started draining the river; over seven paramedic crews responded to the 000 call, along with firefighters and police.[10] The bodies were badly disfigured from crush and compression injuries.[13]

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

Dreamworld is currently closed until further notice due to an 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.[14]

Dreamworld announced that the park would reopen on 28 October for a special memorial service for the victims.[15] However, the reopening to the public was subject to discussions with Queensland police as the ride was being treated as a crime scene.[16] The 28 October reopening was cancelled on 27 October.[17]

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.[18] The then 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."[19]

On 29 October, the Queensland Government announced a 'blitz' of safety inspections, and an audit of state workplace health and safety laws.[20]

The Busch Gardens Tampa theme park in Florida, United States, shut its Congo River Rapids ride in response to the incident, until the cause was determined.[21][22] However, it was later reopened on 26 October after a review and safety check was completed.[23][24]

Thunder River's remaining structures were demolished in 2018.[33] On 23 August 2019, the park announced that a new roller coaster, Steel Taipan, would take its place in 2021 and also consume a portion of the area in use by the former Eureka Mountain Mine Ride.[34] In total, Ardent Leisure reportedly paid out more than $5 million in compensation to the families of the victims as well as to emergency responders and witnesses.[35] A memorial garden for the victims was built near the site of the Thunder River Rapids Ride.[36]

• Official webpage