4 dead after theme park accident - police

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October 25, 2016 7:58 AM

A witness who was about to go on the ride said "everyone was screaming" after a raft apparently flipped.

The Dreamworld theme park opened in 1981 and has over 40 rides and attractions

Four people were killed in an accident at a theme park on Australia's popular Gold Coast Tuesday, police said, with witnesses describing how "everyone was screaming" after a raft apparently flipped on a water-based ride.

The Dreamworld theme park, which has over 40 rides and attractions, said at least three people died, but police said four were dead.

"Four adults have been confirmed as being deceased," Queensland Police said in a statement, adding the incident involved a conveyor belt.

The Gold Coast Bulletin said the victims were on the Thunder River Rapids ride, which uses a conveyor belt and six-person circular rafts.

"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," the company said in a statement.

"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."

"We saw (a) little girl and we believe it was her mum because it was just her and her little sister that was an infant," Lia Capes told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"I was speaking to one of the guys and he said it was the raft or the boat thing in front of him, the whole thing flipped and everyone was screaming."

Another witness, who did not want to be named, told the Gold Coast Bulletin: "My sister and niece were on the ride, they are so traumatised, there is a woman hanging by her foot, crushed from the ride."

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said it was a "very sad day for our city".

"Our thoughts are with the families of those affected ?- and the emergency staff in attendance... A truly sad day for all," Tate added on Facebook.

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