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'Oops, I knew I forgot something': Dreamworld 'ride-builder's' sick Facebook posts hours after tragedy

A Dreamworld employee joked that he forgot to "tighten up the conveyor belt" just hours after four people tragically died at the theme park.

Contractor Benn Rattray shared a link to an article about Tuesday's tragedy with the caption: “Oops, I knew I forgot something."

Dreamworld contractor Benn Rattray joked that he forgot to
Dreamworld contractor Benn Rattray joked that he forgot to

Rattray claimed he was responsible for building rides at the Coomera theme park and soon after joked that he had forgotten to "tighten up the conveyor belt".

“Just heading back to Dreamworld to tighten up the conveyor belt. Was supposed to do it after smoko (sic) but forgot …” he wrote, according to the Courier Mail.

Rattray posted another heartless message two days later, which read: “On a positive note ... At least they died having fun ...”

One of the worker's Facebook friends replied: “I knew these people ... Their kids aren’t laughing.”

Benn Rattray wrote on Facebook: “Oops, I knew I forgot something.
Benn Rattray wrote on Facebook: “Oops, I knew I forgot something.
Photo: Facebook
Photo: Facebook

On October 18, Rattray claimed that he built rides at the park and uploaded a screenshot of an email that stated he had passed Dreamworld’s safety induction.

The Facebook posts have since been deleted and on Thursday Rattray appeared to distance himself from them.

"Don't believe everything you read. Especially online..," he wrote.


The victims became trapped on a conveyor belt at the theme park after a raft they were in flipped on the Thunder River Rapids ride. Photo: AAP
The victims became trapped on a conveyor belt at the theme park after a raft they were in flipped on the Thunder River Rapids ride. Photo: AAP

An Ardent Leisure spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo7 that Rattray was a contractor with Dreamworld and said they were extremely disappointed in the posts.

"We have contacted his employer and expressed extreme disappointment and have asked them to deal with the incident.

"We are appalled by the Facebook posts and hopeful it will be remedied as quickly as possible."

The spokesperson was unable able to confirm exactly what Mr Rattray worked on and whether or not he would continue to work at the theme park.

Dreamworld has denied safety standards were not met at the park and their gates will remain closed today as police and the state Coroner investigate what happened on the Thunder River Rapids ride.

The posts come as a former Dreamworld employee made explosive claims about the safety culture at the park in an exclusive interview with 7 News.

“The reason I’m speaking out is because this accident was avoidable,” the man identified as Michael said.

“It should not have happened.”

Michael claimed the training ride attendants receive is not sufficient.

The four people killed in the tragedy: Canberra mother Kate Goodchild, 32, her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, and his partner Roozbeh Argahi, 38, as well as 42-year-old Cindy Low.
The four people killed in the tragedy: Canberra mother Kate Goodchild, 32, her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, and his partner Roozbeh Argahi, 38, as well as 42-year-old Cindy Low.

“You were pretty much given about half an hour’s worth of training before the park opened and then the ride trainer would stay with you for about 15 to 20 minutes after that, and then they would go about their day,” he said.

Michael also said he didn't know of "one person" who did work there who did raise concerns about the conveyor system on the Thunder River ride, because it did have those gaps between the slats".

Dreamworld says the claim is untrue and Thunder River Rapids operators must be among the most experienced of staff.

Deborah Thomas, CEO of Dreamworld’s parent company Ardent Leisure, faced criticism about a board decision to award her a $167,000 cash performance bonus just days after Kate Goodchild, 32, Luke Dorsett, 35, Roozi Araghi, 38, and Cindy Low, 42, died.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deborah Thomas (L) of Australia's Ardent Leisure Group, the owner of the amusement park Dreamworld where four people were killed on a water ride this week, reacts as she sits with company Director George Venardos after the company's annual general meeting (AGM). Photo: Reuters
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deborah Thomas (L) of Australia's Ardent Leisure Group, the owner of the amusement park Dreamworld where four people were killed on a water ride this week, reacts as she sits with company Director George Venardos after the company's annual general meeting (AGM). Photo: Reuters

Late on Thursday, she announced the bonus would be donated to charity.

"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," Ms Thomas said in a statement.

"I will be making a personal donation of $167,500, which comprises my entire cash bonus, to the Australian Red Cross via the Dreamworld memorial day event.”