Family and friends of four people killed at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast last October say the memory of that terrible day is still fresh in their minds as they struggle to cope with the loss.

A year ago today, a raft on the Thunder River Rapids flipped when it collided with another raft near a large conveyor belt at the end of the water ride.

The accident, on what most people believed to be one of the theme park’s tamest rides, claimed the lives of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi.

The deaths shocked the nation and 12 months later, the fallout from the tragedy is far from over, with prosecutions still possible and a coronial inquest pending.

Family friend Sandra Brookfield said the mother of two of the victims, Kim Dorsett, is living day by day.

“For Kim, each and every day is as though the accident was yesterday,” she said.

“Her goal for the next 12 months is to spend more time with Katie’s children.

“Kim knows that Katie is up there saying ‘please look after my daughters’.”

ABC presenter Patricia Karvelas had been friends with Roozi Araghi since they were teenagers.

“He was a standout human being, a deep thinker, a pop culture lover, he had the X factor always,” she said.

“Roozi was destined for great things in the Australian public service and his death has deprived our country of one of its best future leaders.”

Ms Karvelas said Luke Dorsett and Mr Araghi were the best uncles kids could ask for.

“The last year has been hard to reckon with, it’s left a gaping hole in all our hearts,” she said.

“The role they played in the lives of their nieces and nephews and in my own children’s lives will never be matched … they were devoted and patient, kind and loving.

“They never forgot a birthday, and all of our children have been robbed of their strongest role models and loving uncles.”

Renee Windsor from Mackay took her three young kids to the park for the first time this week.

“It is terrible, you come here to have a good time, and that happens, I’ve been to Dreamworld as a kid and went on that ride and just couldn’t imagine,” she said.

But today she does feel safe.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel safe, I wouldn’t put my kids in any danger, I would presume after what happened last year they’ve double checked everything,” she said.

Another reveller Lachie Hunter said he didn’t know it was the anniversary.

“It is pretty tragic what happened, if I had have known it was one year, I probably wouldn’t have come today,” he said.

A private memorial ceremony for Dreamworld staff, management and board members will be held in honour of the victims on Wednesday.

Will anyone be charged?

Police and the regulator have both completed reports since the accident.

Queensland Police forwarded its report onto the State Coroner, opting not to lay any criminal charges at this stage.

A coronial inquest is expected to be held next year, but regardless of whether criminal charges are recommended, Dreamworld owners Ardent Leisure could face prosecution under the Workplace Health and Safety Act.

The regulator has finished its report, but it will not be publicly released.

Instead Workplace Health and Safety office’s prosecution unit will review it and decide if anyone will be charged but that process is expected to take months.

If prosecuted under this legislation there are penalties of up to six years jail and fines of almost $4 million for reckless conduct and fines for negligence.

Are theme parks safer?

Immediately after the accident, the park was closed for six weeks and the Thunder River Rapids ride was permanently decommissioned.

Dreamworld engineers checked every ride before reopening the park and they engaged an international theme park safety expert, as well as Australian amusement ride engineers, Pitt and Sherry.

Workplace health and safety also inspected park during the closure, giving seven improvement notices.

Since the accident the State Government has passed industrial manslaughter laws, which mean corporations can be held accountable for deaths on site.

– ABC