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NEWS
Dreamworld CEO resigns following inquest into accidental deaths
POSTED 06 Jul 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
Davidson, who was in his position when the accident occurred, resigned from his post on 29 June
Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson has left his position in the midst of a public enquiry into the tragic accident at the theme park in 2016 which saw four people killed.

An inquest into the deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi started last month, where it was revealed that the Thunder River Rapids ride had broken down two times previously on the day of the accident and that staff had previously raised concerns about safety in 2001 following a similar incident.

Davidson, who was in his position when the accident occurred, resigned from his post on 29 June.

Nicole Noye, Ardent’s chief experience officer, will take up the role on a temporary basis, while the operator seeks a permanent chief executive. Ardent has promised a revamp of the park's management team, with company chair Gary Weiss also saying that the company had to learn from the issues highlighted in the inquest.

"We will never forget the events of that tragic day," he said. "I can only again say how profoundly sorry we are to the families and all those so deeply impacted by this tragedy.

"Like everyone else, I have been deeply concerned by what has emerged from the inquiry over the past fortnight, and this is why it is important that we listen to the evidence, understand all we can and apply the lessons learned to ensure such accidents never occur at our parks."

The inquest was adjourned on 29 June until October. Before the adjournment, the park’s engineering supervisor, Peter Gardner, told the inquest that the ride should not have been open at the time of the accident, with procedure to shut down the ride if the same fault occurs twice in a 24-hour period.

Ardent has said the Dreamworld team will prioritise the ongoing implementation of best-practice safety initiatives. This includes continuous enhancements in ride safety and all elements of safety systems and procedures within the park.

In her role, Noye will be supported by two new appointments, with Phil Tanner becoming director of safety and for Queensland police inspector Mike McKay taking up the role of director for culture, community and external relations.
RELATED STORIES
  Inquest into Dreamworld deaths underway in Queensland


An inquest into the ride malfunction that killed four at the Dreamworld theme park in Australia is underway, with a Queensland court hearing there had been "a number" of previous incidents on the ride.
  “Clear runway” for Dreamworld as visitor numbers improve


Ardent has said it expects to enjoy a profitable second half to the year as visitor numbers to its troubled Dreamworld theme park finally start to pick up.
  Ardent's Dreamworld operating at profit one year on from horror accident


Ardent Leisure, which has struggled since a tragedy at its Dreamworld park claimed four lives last year, says it has stemmed financial losses.
  Dreamworld deaths affect Village Roadshow as operator announces AU$66.7m losses


Australian operator Village Roadshow is looking to bounce back after a tough twelve months, which has seen the company record full-year losses of AU$66.7m (US$52.8m, €44.8m, £41.2m).
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NEWS
Dreamworld CEO resigns following inquest into accidental deaths
POSTED 06 Jul 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
Davidson, who was in his position when the accident occurred, resigned from his post on 29 June
Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson has left his position in the midst of a public enquiry into the tragic accident at the theme park in 2016 which saw four people killed.

An inquest into the deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi started last month, where it was revealed that the Thunder River Rapids ride had broken down two times previously on the day of the accident and that staff had previously raised concerns about safety in 2001 following a similar incident.

Davidson, who was in his position when the accident occurred, resigned from his post on 29 June.

Nicole Noye, Ardent’s chief experience officer, will take up the role on a temporary basis, while the operator seeks a permanent chief executive. Ardent has promised a revamp of the park's management team, with company chair Gary Weiss also saying that the company had to learn from the issues highlighted in the inquest.

"We will never forget the events of that tragic day," he said. "I can only again say how profoundly sorry we are to the families and all those so deeply impacted by this tragedy.

"Like everyone else, I have been deeply concerned by what has emerged from the inquiry over the past fortnight, and this is why it is important that we listen to the evidence, understand all we can and apply the lessons learned to ensure such accidents never occur at our parks."

The inquest was adjourned on 29 June until October. Before the adjournment, the park’s engineering supervisor, Peter Gardner, told the inquest that the ride should not have been open at the time of the accident, with procedure to shut down the ride if the same fault occurs twice in a 24-hour period.

Ardent has said the Dreamworld team will prioritise the ongoing implementation of best-practice safety initiatives. This includes continuous enhancements in ride safety and all elements of safety systems and procedures within the park.

In her role, Noye will be supported by two new appointments, with Phil Tanner becoming director of safety and for Queensland police inspector Mike McKay taking up the role of director for culture, community and external relations.
RELATED STORIES
Inquest into Dreamworld deaths underway in Queensland


An inquest into the ride malfunction that killed four at the Dreamworld theme park in Australia is underway, with a Queensland court hearing there had been "a number" of previous incidents on the ride.
“Clear runway” for Dreamworld as visitor numbers improve


Ardent has said it expects to enjoy a profitable second half to the year as visitor numbers to its troubled Dreamworld theme park finally start to pick up.
Ardent's Dreamworld operating at profit one year on from horror accident


Ardent Leisure, which has struggled since a tragedy at its Dreamworld park claimed four lives last year, says it has stemmed financial losses.
Dreamworld deaths affect Village Roadshow as operator announces AU$66.7m losses


Australian operator Village Roadshow is looking to bounce back after a tough twelve months, which has seen the company record full-year losses of AU$66.7m (US$52.8m, €44.8m, £41.2m).
MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
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COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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