A YOUNG mother, her brother and his partner, and a New Zealand woman were killed in a freak ride accident at Dreamworld yesterday.

Two young children, a 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl, watched in horror as the incident occurred, one of them crying hysterically as her mum and three adults lay dead on the Thunder River Rapids in the first ­fatalities in the park’s 35-year history.

Family of Dreamworld ride victim Cindy Low have released a statement pic.twitter.com/GfUHQNXnmd — Rachel Olding (@rachelolding) October 26, 2016

All four were pronounced dead at the scene in the worst Australian theme park disaster since 1979, when seven people died in a fire on the Ghost Train at Luna Park in Sydney.

Annastacia Palaszczuk on Dreamworld tragedy Annastacia Palaszczuk on Dreamworld tragedy

The victims include Kate Goodchild, a 32-year-old ACT woman whose partner and young daughters had to be consoled by emergency services as the tragedy unfolded.

Her brother, Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozbeh Araghi were also killed.

media_camera Roozi Araghi. media_camera Luke Dorsett .

It is believed the three were on the Gold Coast with other family members for a holiday from the national capital. It is believed they did not know the fourth victim, today confirmed as New-Zealand born Cindy Low, or her 10-year-old son who was also on the ride.

The woman had reportedly lived in Sydney for a decade with her New Zealand-born husband. It is believed the family were holidaying on the Gold Coast.

The mother-of-two was on the ride with her son who was taken to hospital.

Her husband and another child were not on the ride, the NZ Herald said.

The son, along with a 12-year-old girl believed to be Kate Goodchild’s daughter, were thrown from the ride during the incident and escaped with minor injuries.

Ms Goodchild was a doting mother, whose Facebook page was filled with photos of her happy family.

Mr Araghi and Mr Dorsett made legal history in the ACT two years ago, successfully challenging a stamp duty bill on a home they bought.

media_camera Three of the Dreamworld victims.

Thousands of people poured out in to the carpark as Dreamworld went in to lockdown.

The park is expected to remain closed for several days as forensic officers, ride engineers and safety officials try to determine just what went wrong.

The case has been referred to the State Coroner and will almost certainly become the subject of a coronial inquest.

In the shadows of the Tower of Terror, a different kind of terror unfolded about 2.20pm, when the raft the group were travelling in apparently flipped at the bottom of a conveyor belt, pinning them underwater.

Queensland police outline Dreamworld tragic accident Queensland police outline Dreamworld tragic accident

Emergency services and Dreamworld officials gave little detail on how the tragedy occurred, but it is understood two of the group were crushed by the weight of the capsizing pod while two others were crushed against the conveyor belt, just metres from dozens of guests waiting in the queue for their turn on the ride.

Ironically, the ride is considered one of the most sedate in the park, which prides itself on hosting some of Australia’s biggest and best thrill rides.

Guests, including young children, float down a gently rolling river, lifting over small rapids in a ride where the biggest concern is usually whether you will get wet by an electronic elephant that squirts water at passing rafts.

Four dead after Dreamworld ride tragedy Four dead after Dreamworld ride tragedy

Guests reported that the ride had been twice shut down for repairs yesterday morning, but by last night Dreamworld had not provided any confirmation or details of any mechanical issues.

Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said park staff were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the tragedy and “our hearts and thoughts go to the families involved and their loved ones”.

Inspector Tod Reid from Gold Coast Police said forensic pathologists, the state coroner and specialist police had assessed the scene. He said the investigation process would be slow and police would be on scene well into the night.

media_camera Queensland Emergency service personnel are seen at amusement theme park Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

“It is a complex retrieval involving heavy equipment,” he said.

Insp Reid said witnesses had been taken to nearby police stations to be interviewed.

He said witnesses and responding police have been offered support.

Insp Reid confirmed CCTV of the incident had been captured.

As patrons left the park, many received calls from worried family members who had heard the news on social media.

Some were left wondering exactly what had happened, finding out as they gathered on the front steps of Dreamworld.

Police used drones to conduct further investigations into the tragedy.

Thousands of locals posted online tributes, reminiscing about their own times at Dreamworld, which will now never be the same.

media_camera The scene at Dreamworld. Photo: David Clark

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate visited the park to pay his condolences to the family.

“The Gold Coast is renowned for giving people wonderful memories,” he said.

“This tragedy is a shock and we’re not used to it. We’ll band together as a community and help the family and friends involved.”

Summer Williams, of Victoria, said she was counting her lucky stars after opting not to take her kids on the ride.

“We were planning on heading there as it was happening,” she said.

“We were on a ride when all of a sudden the (park attendant) told us to evacuate. It was just really eerie and sombre when we left the park. We could tell something horrible had happened.”

Chaplains travelled down Brisbane to console distressed patrons outside the park.

They said park management had handled the scenario “exceptionally well”.

media_camera The scene at Dreamworld, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

“Extra buses were put in place to move people on pretty quickly,” one chaplain said.

“There were a few reasonably distraught people. We just had to speak with them to calm them down.”

Earlier this year, a man was hospitalised after being thrown from a separate log ride. The man received cuts to his head and was taken to the Gold Coast Hospital in April this year. Workplace Health and Safety investigated the incident.

The park will remain closed today and could remain shut to guests for some time during the early stages of the investigation.

additional reporting Chris Honnery, Sam Phillips, Tom Chamberlin and Clare

Armstrong