Busch Gardens re-opens attraction following extra safety checks
The Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa has reopened its Congo River Rapids ride after conducting additional safety checks.
The extra checks were called after four people were killed this week on a similar river rapids ride at an Australia theme park.
The Busch Gardens’ ride has a similar mechanism to the one used at the Dreamworld theme park in Australia’s Gold Coast, which remains closed.
In a statement Busch Gardens said: "Out of an abundance of caution, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay closed Congo River Rapids to make a thorough review of our operating and redundant safety procedures in place, as a continued commitment to guest safety. That review has been completed, and the ride will reopen.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved in the tragic incident at the Dreamworld park in Australia. The safety of guests and team members continues to be Busch Gardens’ number one priority."
Four adults died when a raft somehow flipped over at Dreamworld, trapping them underneath. Two children on the ride survived after being thrown out of the raft.
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