Dreamworld operator charged in 2016 fatal accident
Theme park owner Ardent Leisure has been officially charged under the Australian Work Health and Safety Act.
It relates to the deaths of four guests in 2016 on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld in Queensland.
Three Category 2 charges were filed, and each one carries a maximum fine of $1.5 million.
The charges were expected, given a damning coroner’s report over the theme park’s safety culture.
The coroner’s inquest found a ‘systemic failure by Dreamworld in relation to all aspects of safety.’
Independent Work Health and Safety prosecutor Aaron Guilfoyle said no individuals will face separate charges.
"Dreamworld has taken substantive and proactive steps to improve safety across the entire park and continues to enhance existing systems and practices," the company said.
"The new leadership team is committed to continuing to improve and enhance safety systems and practices."
Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett, Roozbeh Araghi and Cindy Low all died when the raft they were riding flipped over and trapped them in water.
Two young children also on the raft survived.
by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacifc editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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