Four persons killed on a park ride in Thunder River Rapids, Australia

Four people have been killed on a ride at a theme park on Australia’s east coast, police and park officials say.

Two men and two women died when a raft apparently overturned on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The park in Coomera has been closed and an investigation is under way, the owners have said.

Dreamworld bills itself as Australia’s biggest theme park with more than 50 rides and attractions.

The Thunder River Rapids ride whisks visitors in circular rafts along a fast-moving artificial river. Dreamworld describes it as a “moderate thrill” attraction.

Queensland Ambulance spokesman Gavin Fuller said a “malfunction” had caused two people to be thrown from the ride and two others had been trapped inside.

The victims have not been named but are reported to be two women aged 32 and 42 and two men aged 38 and 35.

Australia’s 9News reported that they were possibly from the same family.