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Dreamworld’s top managers set for grilling at coronial inquest

The Thunder River Rapids ride had a history of failures before the multiple fatalities.

The Thunder River Rapids ride had a history of failures before the multiple fatalities. Photo: AAP

Senior supervisors and park managers are among those expected to give evidence when an inquest into the Dreamworld tragedy resumes on Monday.

The inquest into the deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi is set to resume for two weeks at the Southport Coroners Court.

The four tourists died when the Thunder River Rapids Ride malfunctioned at the Gold Coast theme park in October 2016.

The first two weeks of the inquest in June heard from ride supervisors and engineers who either worked at the park on the day of the tragedy or in the days preceding the event.

The second portion of the inquest is expected to hear from more senior park management, including those in charge of engineering, maintenance and policy.

Mourners honour victims of the amusement park tragedy in October 2016. Photo: AAP

Dreamworld general manager Troy Margetts is expected to be called to give evidence during the two-week window.

Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson resigned following the opening fortnight of the inquest.

Since Mr Davidson’s resignation Ardent Leisure, the parent company of the theme park, has announced Nicole Noye as acting CEO alongside new executive appointments Phil Tanner as director of safety and former Queensland police inspector Mike McKay as director for culture, community and external relations.

Ardent Leisure said in August the inquest had hampered efforts to encourage visitors back to the park.

The company reported a net loss of $90.7 million for the year to June 26, with attendance dropping to 1.658 million visits in 2017-18 from 1.663 million the year before.

On the eve of the inquest resuming, Ardent says it remains committed to implementing any recommendations that arise from the inquest.

“We are committed to ensuring Dreamworld becomes recognised as Australia’s global benchmark for theme park safety – the Ardent board has no greater priority,” Ardent Leisure chairman Gary Weiss said in a statement.

-AAP

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