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Australia's Dreamworld to remain closed, memorial service cancelled on police advice

Xinhua, October 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australia's Dreamworld is to remain closed as its plans to reopen on Friday and hold a memorial service for the four victims that were killed at one of its rides on Tuesday has been thwarted by the Queensland police at the 11th hour.

Instead, the Gold Coast theme park will remain close to the public until further notice.

"Dreamworld has been advised by Queensland Police Service (QPS) that we are unable to proceed with tomorrow's (Friday) memorial service as planned," Dreamworld said in a statement on Thursday.

"Obviously the integrity of the coronial investigation is of paramount importance and postponing the service will give QPS the time it needs to conduct this investigation."

"We will provide an update to the media on Monday with regard to the memorial service and reopening of the park," Dreamworld said.

Two women, 42-year-old Cindy Low and 32-year-old Kate Goodchild along with Goodchild's brother Luke Dorsett, 35, and his partner Roozbeh Araghi, 38, died after the Thunder River Rapids water-raft ride flipped backwards killing all four on Tuesday.

Following the tragedy, the theme park has been closed to the public for investigations by the police since Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Dreamworld's parent company Ardent Leisure chief executive Deborah Thomas who had previously come under fire by the victims of the family members for failing to contact them directly has offered a personal donation instead.

"I have been deeply affected and saddened by the tragic deaths of Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozbeh Araghi, and Cindy Low at Dreamworld on Tuesday, in particular the impact of this incident on their children and families," Thomas said.

"I will be making a personal donation of 167,500 Australian dollars (127,000 U.S. dollars) which comprises my entire cash bonus, to the Australian Red Cross via the Dreamworld memorial day event."

"Red Cross will ensure 100 percent is directed to support people affected by this tragic event," she said.

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