Dreamworld ignored safety recommendation for single shutdown button on killer rapids ride

  • Dreamworld inquest reveals safety recommendations for rides were ignored 
  • Official told inquest recommendation for 'fast stop' button was 'a lot to consider' 
  • It was also revealed the ride's pump had 'tripped' three days before tragedy 

By Adam Mccleery For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:09 EDT, 17 October 2018 | Updated: 01:52 EDT, 17 October 2018

Dreamworld ignored safety recommendations for a single shutdown button on a ride that killed four tourists.

Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett, his partner Roozi Araghi and Sydney mother Cindy Low died after Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned in 2016. 

A safety audit report in 2013 recommended that a single emergency shut down button was installed.

But the single button was never installed.

Instead, anyone wanting to stop the ride had to press four buttons on a control panel that was described as 'confusing'.

Dreamworld electrical supervisor, Scott Ritchie, said this was judged to be 'risk acceptable'.    

Dreamworld ignored safety recommendations for a single shutdown button on a ride that killed four tourists. 

Dreamworld ignored safety recommendations for a single shutdown button on a ride that killed four tourists. 

The report by external auditors JAK said: 'During an emergency, a simpler automatic process should be considered. 

'Recommend that the safety system be updated to ensure correct steps are taken by a single emergency button, which will ensure appropriate timing and sequence.'

 Today, Mr Ritchie appeared emotional as he addressed an inquest into the victims' deaths on Australia's Gold Coast.

He said: 'I deeply apologise for not being able to make eye contact, I wanted to give my evidence without emotion.

'Please accept my sympathies for everything you are going through.'

 The Thunder River Rapids Ride malfunctioned after a pump stopped working, causing water levels to drop.

A raft stopped and was hit by another carrying the four victims.

Two children escaped uninjured.

 The inquest had heard that the control panel was too complicated and ride operators could not resort to a single emergency off stop button.

'Because there were two operators on the ride … it would be nice, but I don't think it was necessary,' Mr Ritchie told the inquest. 

On October 22, 2016, just three days before the tragedy Dreamworld's maintenance supervisor Mark Watkins tended to the ride after the 'pump had tripped'. 

It was revealed the cause of the accident three days later, on October 25, was a water pump suffering an 'earth fault' for the third time that day, 9 News reported.   

Luke Dorsett (pictured left) and his partner Roozi Araghi (pictured right) were both killed when the Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned in October of 2016

The inquest was shown the Safety Related Control Systems report which stated that the installation of a water level sensor, costing between $2000 and $3000, could have help prevent the tragedy. 

'The primary cause of the tragic incident was the lack of a suitable safety-rated water level detection system intergrated to the upgraded conveyor system,' the report stated.

The inquest also revealed that in January of 2016 Dreamworld's attraction and entertainment manager Andrew Fyfe emailed the engineering team and made safety suggestions.

Cindy Low (pictured right with her husband Matthew Low) was also one of the four people killed in the tragic Thunder River Rapids incident 

Cindy Low (pictured right with her husband Matthew Low) was also one of the four people killed in the tragic Thunder River Rapids incident 

'Afternoon gents, it seems the rapids rafts are unable to cater for the full days trade, as they're taking on too much water and becoming a risk by about 6.30pm,' he wrote. 

'We've advertised the ride open until 8pm but this might need to be readdressed if there's no solution with the rafts.'

He passed on recommendations by the park's technicians that closing the ride for 30 minutes a day would allow the water to drain, news.com.au reported.

Kate Goodchild (pictured right with husband David Goodchild) also died in the tragic incident

Kate Goodchild (pictured right with husband David Goodchild) also died in the tragic incident

His email was responded to by Dreamworld's engineering general manager Chris Deaves who said it was the 'first' he had heard of such an issue.

'First I have ever heard in three years about rafts taking in water and not resolving it, it seems old habits die hard what was acceptable remains acceptable until a discussion happens,' he responded.  

Another incident in 2004 almost lead to the death or serious injury of a woman on the Thunder River Rapids. 

The woman was knocked from the raft as she attempted to disembark, she hit her head as she fell into the water when a family member and a Dreamworld employee dived in.

They were able to prevent her from being drowned or crushed by incoming rafts and while she was shaken she did not suffer any long term physical damage.

The inquest is set to continue on Thursday.  

The inquest also revealed that in January of 2016 Dreamworld's attraction and entertainment manager Andrew Fyfe emailed the engineering team and made safety suggestions

The inquest also revealed that in January of 2016 Dreamworld's attraction and entertainment manager Andrew Fyfe emailed the engineering team and made safety suggestions

 

 

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Dreamworld ignored safety recommendation for single shutdown button on killer rapids ride

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