Park cancels plan to re-open, CEO donates bonus to charity
Dreamworld has stepped back from its plan to re-open tomorrow.
The park had planned to open its gates to visitors again tomorrow for a memorial fundraiser before a full re-opening on Saturday.
It has now stepped back from the plans on advice from police with investigators still on site after Tuesday's horrific tragedy on the Thunder River Rapids Ride.
"Dreamworld has been advised by Queensland Police Service (QPS) that we are unable to proceed with tomorrow’s memorial as planned,” a statement from the theme park read.
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"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."
Dreamworld's statement said further updates on plans to re-open would be made on Monday.
Four adults died on the Thunder River Rapids Ride on Tuesday when one of the rafts is believed to have overturned during a malfunction.
Kate Goodchild, 32, Luke Dorsett, 35, Roozi Araghi, 38, and Cindy Low, 42 were killed while two children also riding the raft survived.
Dreamworld had earlier defending plans to re-open so soon after the tragedy, saying advice from counsellors suggested it was best for shocked and grieving workers to attempt to return to normality.
Meanwhile, Ardent Leisure chief executive Deborah Thomas, who says she's deeply affected by the death of four people at the company's park, will donate her annual cash bonus to charity.
Ms Thomas says she will personally give $167,500 to the Red Cross which will go towards supporting people affected by the Tuesday's tragedy.
"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," she said in a statement.
"I will be making a personal donation of $167,500, which comprises my entire cash bonus."
