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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive