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BRISBANE 7:15PM
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As the investigations move into full swing, here is what we know so far
Four people are dead after an incident on Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on Queensland's Gold Coast.
Paramedics say two people were thrown from the ride and two people were trapped inside when the ride malfunctioned.
The victims are aged in their 30s and 40s.
Witnesses have described the tragic events, while Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk describes it as a "dark day" in the state's history..
The theme park has been closed "until further notice"
Ardent Leisure, the operator of the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, had its share price fall by as much as 8 per cent
Police and workplace safety officers are investigating.
Our live coverage has concluded. Please check the main site for the latest developments.
BRISBANE 6:45PM: Tony Moore
Dreamworld's car park is empty of holidaymakers now,.
It is virtually dark and the main lights come from television news crews still doing live crosses.
Inside Dreamworld, police and accident investigation teams can be seen making their way inside the first section of the theme park.
But other than that, night has now fallen on a day when two men and two women have died in an accident at one of Australia's main theme parks.
BRISBANE 6:31PM:
Theme park closed until 'further notice'
Dreamworld has announced the park will be closed until further notice after a tragic ride incident killed four people.
BRISBANE 6.25PM:
Two women were lining up to go on the ride when they heard screams.
"We saw a bunch of people running out hysteric, we saw a little girl screaming for her mum, it was scary," one of the women told Seven News.
"We believe she was on the ride, I don't believe she was in the same raft, but we do understand from what she said it was her family involved and she was screaming for her mother," another woman said.
"We tried to comfort her from the side to distract her."
BRISBANE 6:15pm: Tony Moore
Two male Dreamworld staff has been driven away by two police detectives as the investigation into the cause of the fatal accident begins.
The Queensland coroner will also investigate the deaths.
BRISBANE 6:07pm:
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has started its investigations into the ride incident that resulted in four deaths.
An investigations team is on site, along with the body's chief engineer.
"This is an absolute tragedy and our hearts go out to the friends and relatives of those who died today," Office of Industrial Relations Executive Director Julie Nielsen said in a statement.
The agency will work with the Queensland Police Service, which is the lead agency investigating the incident.
Dreamworld updated their website this afternoon stating the Thunder River Rapids ride would be closed for "annual maintenance" from Tuesday October 25 to Monday October 31.
BRISBANE 6:00pm:
The tragic events at Dreamworld today could cause anxiety for children.
Kids Helpline is Australia's only national 24/7 counselling and support service, specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. www.kidshelp.com.au or free call 1800 55 1800.
If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or visit its website on lifeline.org.au
BRISBANE 5:50pm: Tony Moore
Dreamworld visitors Kaylah Walker, 25, and her mother Lisa, said the Thunder River Rapids ride - where four adults died - was not working earlier today.
"Earlier in the day it had broken down," Lisa said.
"It had broken down and we went back a couple of times to this particular ride.
"We were standing on the bridge watching and the water had stopped.
"There was no rapids."
The incident happened about 10 minutes after they walked away from the ride.
She described the Thunder River Rapids as "one of the most tame rides in the park".
"Unless you are a wee tiny tot," Lisa said.
Six people sit in a large tube and are guided down a man-made stream of water.
"It's like a huge sized tube really, but it's quite a heavy tube. And it just goes through the rapid," she said.
"It's like a gigantic tyre with seats in it."
BRISBANE 5:50pm:
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate says Gold Coasters will offer support to the loved ones of those involved in the incident today.
"If there is other things we can bind together and do, and help the families, we will do that," he told Nine News.
"Any help they need, whether or not they need some help to get family or loved ones back to their hometown, things like that.
"We want to reach out and let them know that Gold Coasters will be doing our best to make sure they are comforted.
"To put yourself in those shoes is horrific.
"Our prayers should also reach out to the paramedics, staff at Dreamworld and police."
BRISBANE 5.46pm:
What we know so far
Four people have died on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld.
Paramedics say two people were thrown from the ride and two people were trapped inside.
Police and workplace safety are investigating
The Gold Coast theme park has been closed to the public.
BRISBANE 5:42pm: Cameron Atfield
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was in Queensland today, has issued a statement on today's Dreamworld tragedy.
"I'm very saddened to learn of the tragic accident at Dreamworld earlier today," he said.
"Theme parks are a place for family fun and happiness, not tragedy.
"This is a very, very, sad, tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives.
"This is a very sad day, and we trust there will be a thorough investigation into the causes of this accident over the days to follow."
BRISBANE 5:40pm: Georgina Mitchell
There was a problem with the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld several hours before one part of the ride flipped over, a witness said.
On Tuesday morning, visitors were left waiting as engineers were called in to inspect the ride.
"We were waiting there for about half an hour and the engineers had to come," a witness told Nine News.
"They drained all the water out and then had to refill it back up. Then we were allowed to go. We were stuck there for about 30, 40 minutes at least."
BRISBANE 5:23pm: Carolyn Cummins
Ardent Leisure, the operator of the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast, had its share price fall by as much as 8 per cent following news of a tragedy at the venue.
In a short statement on Tuesday afternoon the group confirmed there had been at least three fatalities at its theme park in Queensland on Tuesday.
BRISBANE 5.20pm: Jorge Branco
Witnesses have described shock and confusion in the aftermath of the accident as first responders reacted.
"They just told us to evacuate, 'you've gotta go'," one park-goer told Ten News.
"Then as we got down other people said they heard a massive big bang and it sounded like an explosive big bang."
BRISBANE 5.12pm:
'Everyone is in deep shock': Premier
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said police and workplace health and safety were doing a "thorough" investigation and expected that to continue into the early hours.
"I understand there were many witnesses and I want to thank paramedics and police who were there," she said.
"I have been told the scene was horrific.
"Everyone is in deep shock that this has actually happened at one of our most popular theme parks, our heart goes out to family and victims."
BRISBANE 5.04pm:
Inspector and regional duty officer Todd Reid confirmed two males and two females were confirmed dead, however would not confirm whether the adults were related to each other.
"Workplace health and safety officers and the Forensic Crash Unit of Queensland Police in attendance along with state coroner," he said.
"We are working with park to determine how tragic incident has occurred."
BRISBANE 4.52pm: Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said the park had been closed.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by this and our hearts and our thoughts go to the families involved and their loved ones," he said.
Paramedics said two people were thrown from the raft and two people were trapped inside.
Queensland Ambulance Service Officer Gavin Fuller said the people were aged from 32 to their early 40s.
He said park staff attempted first aid but weren't able to save them.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has launched an investigation into the tragedy, with an investigations team and the chief engineer on site.
It's understood the chief engineer will be looking into the mechanics of the ride and what went wrong.
Authorities and Dreamworld representatives have spoken about the tragic incident at Dreamworld. It begins about 5.20 minutes:
BRISBANE 4.19pm: The Queensland Police Service has issued a statement ahead of the press conference.
"Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred this afternoon at a theme park on the Gold Coast.
Police were called to the site at Coomera around 2.20pm following reports that a number of people had been injured by a conveyor belt.
Four adults have been confirmed as being deceased."
The incident comes about six months after a near-drowning on Dreamworld's popular log ride.
A man was on the log ride when he fell out in April.
He was treated by the theme park's medical staff after he swallowed water and suffered cuts to his head before paramedics arrived.
4.57pm: Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said it is a "very sad day for our city".
"Our thoughts are with the families of those affected – and the emergency staff in attendance," he said.
"I urge everyone to show the respect needed as the relevant authorities undertake investigations in to what has occurred.
"A truly sad day for all."
4pm: Dreamworld has confirmed "at least three fatalities" at its theme park.
"Dreamworld confirms there has been at least three fatalities at its theme park in Queensland today," the statement read.
"Dreamworld is working as quickly as possible to establish the facts around the incident and is working closely with emergency authorities and police to do this.
"Dreamworld's focus and priority is with the families of those involved in this tragedy and will be providing an update to the public as soon as information becomes available."
People were "hysterically crying" and running after the accident, witnesses say.
One woman who spoke to media at the theme park said a young girl was crying and being comforted at the ride.
"We think it was her mum that was involved," the woman said.
"There was just police and lifeguards everywhere.
"It happened on the Rapids ride. I spoke to a guy and he said he looked behind and the whole thing flipped over."
Another witness said she believed three adults involved in the accident were from the same extended family.
Thunder River Rapids is considered a quite tame family ride.
Up to six people are strapped into one circular cart with a loose belt around the abdomen, then the ride travels down a water track.
According to the Dreamworld website, it travels up to 45 kilometres an hour through "turbulent rapids".
Earlier: One person has reportedly died and three others are injured after an incident on a ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
Police say it appears one person had become caught in a conveyor belt at the Coomera theme park.
Paramedics said four people were injured, though they couldn't confirm media reports one person had died.
It's believed the accident occurred on the Thunder River Rapids ride with a six- person circular raft flipping over onto the conveyor belt.
"The situation is unfolding," a Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said. "The QAS is working with other emergency services to assist at the scene."
- with Georgina Mitchell