Online memorial fund set up for devastated Dorsett family
A family friend of two Dreamworld ride victims has set up a memorial fund to help the devastated Dorsett family, meanwhile the Gold Coast theme park have announced they will not reopen until after all four funerals.
Dreamworld had initially planned to reopen their gates on Saturday but were advised by police to hold off. That delay will be extended as the park's parent company Ardent Leisure helps police with an ongoing investigation.
#BREAKING: Dreamworld boss says the park will remain shut until after the funerals of the victims. #7News pic.twitter.com/weoqgFpI5O
— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) October 28, 2016
On Tuesday, two members of the Dorsett family were killed after the Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
On Thursday, Sandra Brookfield started the online fundraising and it has already gone past its half-way goal after one day.
The Memorial Fund has raised more than $10,000 already.
Ms Brookfield has been a close friend of Kim Dorsett for 58 years.
Ms Dorsett's children, Kate Goodchild, 32, and Luke Dorsett, 35, as well as Mr Dorsett's partner Roozi Araghi were killed on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld.
Ms Dorsett’s 12-year-old granddaughter Ebony survived the accident but watched on, screaming, as her father tried to save his wife.
David Turner had been watching the ride from nearby with the couple's eight-month-old daughter, Evie. He attempted to save his wife, but she died in his arms.
'We saw things we wished we hadn't': Kiwis let victims go ahead of them on tragic Dreamworld ride
Ms Brookfield said the family are facing financial difficulties and are struggling to stop blaming themselves for the tragedy.
She told the Sydney Morning Herald Ms Dorsett had raised her three children on her own in Canberra, working at Woolworths and obtaining a teaching degree while putting them through school.
She said, "Kim bought these children up completely on their own.
"She's supported them herself and now she needs our support. I'm hoping people will dig deep to help them with the financial stress."