It is still “one day at a time” for two heroes who pulled one of the Dreamworld ride tragedy victims out of the water and tried to revive her.
John Osborne, CEO, Ardent Leisure theme parks, delivers an apology outside court after the company was fined $3.6 million over the Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy at Dreamworld in 2016.
The two men – one on holiday with his family from the NSW south coast town of Ulladulla, the other a paramedic who was one of the first on scene – received bravery awards on Friday.
Supporting them at the ceremony in Brisbane’s City Hall was a nurse who they say “pulled everything together” that day and deserves the same recognition as them.
Steve Apthorp – on holiday with his then-wife and two children – was awarded a Bronze Medal and John Clark – on-site paramedic – received a Certificate of Merit as part of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia Annual Bravery Awards.
The Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy at Dreamworld in 2016. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP
On October 25, 2016, two rafts on the Dreamworld ride were approaching the passenger unload area around 2pm. The two rafts collided, causing the second raft to tilt upwards and get caught between the conveyor belt and the steel railings.
All six occupants from the second raft were thrown into the conveyor belt below. Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Cindy Low all died at the scene.
Mr Apthorp and Mr Clark tried to save Ms Goodchild.
“Mr Apthorp climbed down into the water trough in chest-deep water where he located a woman and commenced CPR and was joined by Mr Clark,” the official award citation read.
“They were able to move the woman onto a ramp where they continued CPR until emergency services arrived.”
The victims (left to right): Roozi Araghi, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, and Cindy Low. Picture: Supplied
Mr Apthorp and his now ex-wife suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the tragedy and sued Dreamworld’s parent company Ardent Leisure over it.
“Today is still a very hard day because it brings back a lot of memories, and a lot of pressure … a very big trigger to come here today,” Mr Apthorp said after receiving his Bronze Medal.
“When I received the letter (saying I was receiving an award), it played on me for a little while, it was always in my mind.
“But I felt good in a way (standing there receiving the award), more closure.
“You can’t really describe it, there are no words for that day – it was a big bad tragedy for everyone.”
Mr Clark, an experienced paramedic and first aid officer, left the service soon after the tragedy after what he was confronted by that day.
“I’m getting there, each day is hard, but one at a time and getting there slowly,” he said after receiving his Certificate of Merit.
“It was ridiculously humbling … (and) incredibly proud (to receive this award).”
John Clark, Rebecca Ramsey and Steven Apthorp at The Royal Humane Society of Australasia Awards for Bravery at Brisbane City Hall on Friday. Picture: Richard Walker.
Mr Clark and Mr Apthorp were quick to praise Rebecca Ramsey, who was a nurse employed by Dreamworld that day and co-ordinated their efforts with emergency services.
Despite not receiving an award on Friday, Ms Ramsey was there to support both men.
Mr Clark said Ms Ramsey “pulled everything together” that day, and also deserves an award.
“Every anniversary that passes is still very difficult … It’s like a big black box that you’ve got to control and try not to let the lid out,” Ms Ramsey said on Friday.
“John was first on scene, Steve was already there. I arrived shortly after John did, he was in the water already, we jumped into emergency action I guess.
“I was trying to give updates and hurry people along because it was quite a confrontational scene … it was a full on couple of hours … it was difficult.”
All three remain friends and say their friendship played a major part in them coming to terms with what happened that day. They still regularly catch up.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who presented the awards, said the selfless actions of the recipients deserve to be celebrated.
“Any one of us in the community could one day find ourselves in that situation … we know these days that if anything happens … there is no shortage of people standing around with their phones filming these things,” Cr Schrinner said.
“But there’s not too many who will roll up their sleeves and put themselves in danger. The people in this room who we are honouring today did that.”