LANDER & ROGERS
Lander & Rogers' Sports Business Group is the leading sports law practice in Australia, representing over 150 national and international sporting bodies. Our clients include international…
read moreA former Dreamworld executive has denied obstructing the Queensland Police investigation into the deaths of four people on the Thunder River Rapids ride in October 2016, breaking down while giving evidence at the Coronial inquest.
Giving evidence yesterday, Troy Margetts, who was the General Manager of Park Operations at the time of the tragedy two years ago, became tearful in the witness stand when asked whether he told a staff member not to talk to Police.
In June, Courtney Williams, one of two people running the rapids ride at the time of the fatalities, told the inquest she was instructed by a senior park manager at Dreamworld not to speak to police after the tragedy, but said she later gave a statement to officers at a station.
During cross examination, barrister Toby Nielsen, representing the family of three of the victims, told Margetts that Williams "felt pressured by you".
Nielsen said he would "like to give ( Margetts) an opportunity to respond to that".
Becoming tearful, Margetts stated “my response to that is that did not happen in any way.”
The Coronial inquest into the fatal Thunder River Rapids accident has heard staff were both over-stretched and under-prepared for serious incidents.
Margetts attempted to continue with his response but paused for long periods of time after being overcome with emotion.
He responded "my only conversation regarding that ... sorry ... sorry ... was to ask the officer to remove her from that situation because of where she was ... and because what we were seeing was very traumatic."
Margetts wiped away tears as he responded.
Nielsen, who asked Williams about the event when she gave evidence in June, accepted Margetts' testimony, commenting "Mr Margetts, can I say from my observation of you today, on behalf of myself and the people that I represent, that I wholly accept that explanation.”
Margetts left employment at the Gold Coast theme park in January this year.
The inquiry into the deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi has been sitting for the past fortnight and will resume for two weeks in November.
Image: Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids ride in operation prior to the October 2016 fatalities.
19th October 2018 - Coroner seeks proof that all Dreamworld rides had safety certification
18th October 2018 - Families cry as Dreamworld supervisor delivers tearful statement of sympathy over ride fatalities
16th October 2018 - Coroner seeks to have Dreamworld inquest extended
15th October 2018 - Dreamworld inquest told $3,000 water level sensor would have prevented tragedy
12th October 2018 - Dreamworld inquest delay as Ardent Leisure accused of being slow to hand over documents
11th October 2018 - Paramedics describe horrific scene after Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids incident
9th October 2018 - Staff to sue Dreamworld over ‘significant psychological injuries’
8th October 2018 - Reopened Dreamworld inquest hears ‘everybody’ failed to ensure ride’s safety prior to fatalities
27th August 2018 - Dreamworld looks to attract visitors with entry fee drop and LEGO exhibition
22nd August 2018 - Ardent Leisure losses grow as Dreamworld’s value declines by $75 million
30th July 2018 - Ride fatalities aftermath continues to drive down Dreamworld’s value
26th June 2018 - Inquest hears that Dreamworld cut back maintenance in months before 2016 ride fatalities
21st June 2018 - Inquest hears Dreamworld ride operator ‘pressured’ not to talk to Police after fatalities
22nd June 2018 - Dreamworld ride operator ‘distressed’ over inquest role
18th June 2018 - Coronial inquest begins into 2016 Dreamworld fatalities
29th March 2018 - Ardent Leisure appoints new General Manager Marketing at Dreamworld and SkyPoint
11th July 2017 - Dreamworld battles inconsistent attendances and falling revenues
4th April 2017 - Ardent Leisure Chief Executive ‘appeared to be ducking for cover’ following Dreamworld fatalities
27th October 2016 - Ardent Leisure in turmoil after Dreamworld ride tragedy
4th August 2011 - Dreamworld crash caused by low fuel
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