Local News

“Whole family has been wiped out”: Devastated mum loses two children in Dreamworld tragedy

The mother of two of the people killed in the tragic Dreamworld accident says her "whole family has been wiped out".

The mother of two of the people killed in the tragic Dreamworld accident says her “whole family has been wiped out” and her family is devastated.

Four people were killed when the Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned on Tuesday afternoon.

The Courier Mail reports Kate Goodchild, 32, her brother Luke Dorsett, his partner Roozi Araghi and 42-year-old New Zealander Cindy Low.

Kiwi Low is believed to have lived in Australia for a number of years with her husband and two children.

It is understood two children were also on the ride also, but were flung off to safety.

It is believed the group was on holidays from Canberra and only visited the popular theme park after extending their trip a few extra days.

The media statement issued from Dreamworld

Talking about the loss of both her children Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett, grieving mum Kim Dorsett, who was also on the holiday, said her family is “absolutely devastated”.

“We are just devastated, absolutely devastated,” she told The Courier Mail.

“I have three children and have lost two of them today — my whole family has been wiped out.

“I have two granddaughters — an eight-month-old and a 12-year-old — and it truly breaks my heart to know that my eight-month-old is never going to get to know her mum.”

Australia’s Daily Telegraph reports that the group were just five seconds away from the end of the ride when the raft flipped, drowning two and crushing the others. The children were thrown to safety.

Witnesses have described the terrified screams of the 12-year-old girl, who was calling for her mother after being flung from the ride.

“She just kept screaming ‘Where’s Mummy? Where’s Mummy?” witness Claire Wooley said.

Loading the player...

“We were in tears ourselves and she was just hysterical.”

The accident at the Gold Coast theme park is the worst in Dreamworld’s 35 year history.

Thunder River Rapids is one of the tamest and most popular rides in the park, with rafts floating down a foamy track at up to 45km an hour.

The theme park issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon, confirming that at 2.20pm AEST, four adults lost their lives on the Rapids ride.

“The entire Dreamworld team is devastated and shocked by this incident.

“Our immediate concern now is to support the families of the victims and to provide appropriate counselling to our visitors and staff.

“We are working closely with the authorities to understand exactly what occurred.

“We acknowledge the enormous media interest in this incident and appreciate your understanding and patience while the coronial investigation is underway.

“Dreamworld is closed until further notice.”

IMAGE CREDIT: Facebook.

Related stories