Ardent Leisure chief executive Deborah Thomas says ride’s closure ‘the only respectful’ course of action

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The ride that killed four people at Dreamworld will never operate again and will be demolished, the owner of the Gold Coast theme park says.

The chief executive of Ardent Leisure, Deborah Thomas, says the only respectful thing to do after last month’s tragedy is to dismantle the Thunder River Rapids ride for good.

“Out of respect for the memories of Cindy Low, Roozi Araghi, Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett, and their deeply affected families, the ride will be permanently decommissioned,” she said on Wednesday. “The closure of the ride is the only respectful and appropriate course of action.”

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Thomas also suggested it could be some time before the park is fully operational again.

“No ride at Dreamworld will operate until the Workplace Health and Safety audit has been completed and unless it passes the multi-level internal and external review process,” she said.

That process has been expanded to include an external review by Pitt & Sherry, a mechanical engineering firm that specialises in amusement rides and devices.

Thomas said the company would review all rides and their operating systems at both Dreamworld and Whitewater World.

The Pitt & Sherry review is already underway.

It is proceeding alongside Dreamworld’s internal review and a police investigation for the coroner.

“In addition to these reviews, Dreamworld remains committed to working closely with the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland team,” Thomas said.

She said the families of the victims would be invited, at an appropriate time, to discuss “a fitting and permanent memorial to their loved ones”.