Key Takeaways
- A guest at WhiteWater World theme park on the Gold Coast has been rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition after almost drowning at the Cave of Waves attraction.
- Emergency services were called to the park shortly after 2pm on Friday and treated the patient for water inhalation injuries.
- The theme park’s lifeguards responded immediately and the park has returned to normal operations after emergency services left.
- The safety and wellbeing of guests and team members is the park’s highest priority.
Introduction to the Incident
A disturbing incident occurred at WhiteWater World theme park on the Gold Coast, where a guest was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition after almost drowning at one of the park’s attractions. The incident happened on Friday, January 2, 2026, at around 2pm, when emergency services were called to the park. The guest had been pulled from the water at the Cave of Waves attraction, a 50-metre-long wave pool that produces swells up to 1.5 metres. The park’s emergency response team and paramedics quickly responded to the situation, treating the patient for injuries related to water inhalation before transporting them to Gold Coast University Hospital.
The Response from Emergency Services and the Theme Park
The response from emergency services and the theme park was swift and effective. Paramedics from the Queensland Ambulance Service attended the scene promptly and treated the patient for water inhalation injuries. The theme park’s highly trained lifeguards also responded immediately, ensuring that the situation was brought under control as quickly as possible. A statement from the theme park confirmed that they were continuing to work with emergency services as needed and that the safety and wellbeing of their guests and team members was their highest priority. The park’s spokesperson also confirmed that the park had returned to normal operations after emergency services had left the scene.
The Cave of Waves Attraction
The Cave of Waves attraction, where the incident occurred, is a popular feature at WhiteWater World. The 50-metre-long wave pool produces swells of up to 1.5 metres, creating a fun and exciting experience for visitors. However, as with any water-based attraction, there are risks involved, and the park’s lifeguards and emergency response team are trained to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an incident. The theme park’s statement emphasized the importance of safety and wellbeing, and it is likely that the incident will be thoroughly investigated to ensure that all necessary safety protocols were in place and followed.
The Importance of Safety Protocols
The incident at WhiteWater World highlights the importance of safety protocols at theme parks and other public venues. The park’s statement emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of guests and team members is their highest priority, and it is clear that they have procedures in place to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency. However, the incident also serves as a reminder that even with the best safety protocols in place, accidents can still happen. It is essential for theme parks and other public venues to continually review and update their safety protocols to ensure that they are doing everything possible to minimize the risk of injury or harm to their visitors.
Conclusion
The incident at WhiteWater World theme park on the Gold Coast is a disturbing reminder of the risks involved in visiting public venues, even those with the best safety protocols in place. The swift and effective response from emergency services and the theme park’s emergency response team likely prevented a more serious outcome, and the park’s commitment to safety and wellbeing is to be commended. As the investigation into the incident continues, it is essential for theme parks and other public venues to review and update their safety protocols to ensure that they are doing everything possible to minimize the risk of injury or harm to their visitors.
