Dreamworld family demanding the cause ; We want to know what went wrong?

Australia:

THE father of two of the victims killed in the Dreamworld tragedy today gave a heartbreaking statement in which he said the families want answers.

“Like everyone else in Australia, we want to know what went wrong,” said Shayne Goodchild, father of Luke Dorsett and Kate Goodchild, with Kate’s partner David Turner standing by his side in Canberra.

“We want to know why our loved ones were taken from us in such horrific circumstances. No one wants those answers more than we do.”

Speaking on behalf of everyone who loved his children, he noted that Dave had “lost the love of his life and the mother of their children, in the most tragic of circumstances.”

Dave not only has to deal with his own grief, but be strong for their beautiful daughters. Our darling Evie, is only eight months old, and far too young to be without her mum.

“And he must be a rock for his oldest daughter Ebony, who saw her mum’s life taken.

“Only 24 hours earlier, my family was on the beach, taking Evie into the waves for the very first time. It is truly devastating that Evie will never get to know just what an amazing person her mum was.”

Mr Goodchild also paid tribute to Luke’s partner Roozi Araghi and Sydney-based New Zealander Cindy Low, who were also killed on the Thunder River Rapids on Tuesday.

“Evie and Ebony have not only lost their mum, the deaths of Luke and Roozi have also taken away two uncles who also loved and cherished them,” he said.

Luke and Roozi have been partners for nearly a decade and are a truly inspirational couple to everyone who had the great fortune to have known them. To say ‘this is just not fair’ doesn’t begin to express our despair.

“Their loss will be deeply felt not just among our families, but among all of their friends and work colleagues.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cindy’s family, and particularly her son, who was also sitting on the raft with his mum.”

As Mr Turner wiped away tears, a visibly emotional Mr Goodchild thanked Australia for its “outpouring of love and support our families have received from friends as well as from complete strangers” and asked for time and space to cope with the tragedy.

“The next few weeks and months are going to be incredibly difficult for our families,” he said. 

“In the next few days, we have to bury our beautiful children and, for Dave, his amazing partner. “Roozi’s family have to farewell their incredible and inspirational son and brother.

“We also all have to help two little girls start to come to the fact that their mum is never coming home. For this reason, we ask from the bottom of our hearts, on behalf of all our families, that the country gives us time and space to grieve and to farewell our loved ones.”

Mr Goodchild said the family would not be commenting on the actions of Dreamworld or its owners, Ardent Leisure, until more details emerged from the investigation and coronial process.

Ardent CEO Deborah Thomas today visited the Gold Coast theme park and apologised to families if she “hadn’t handled” the tragedy as well as she could have. She had earlier been criticised for not contacting them directly after the deaths on Tuesday.

“There have been some questions about whether the company has tried to contact us or offered any assistance,” said Mr Goodchild.

“At this difficult time we would prefer that any future contact from the company or the media be made through our solicitor.”