IN an emotional statement to the media this afternoon at the National Carillon, Shayne Goodchild, who lost two adult children in the Dreamworld ride deaths on the Gold Coast this week, said the Turner, Goodchild and Dorsett families didn’t want to make any comment about the actions of Dreamworld or its owners at this stage, preferring to wait until further details emerge from the investigation and coronial process.

He pleaded for the media to respect their wish to hold private farewells for Kate, Luke and Roozi.

“We understand the media interest their funerals will attract, but plead that we are allowed to grieve in private, at this most difficult time.”

He also referred offers of assistance from the Dreamworld owners to the families’ solicitors.

“There have been some question about whether the company has tried to contact us or offered any assistance. At this difficult time we would prefer that any future contact from the company or the media be made through our solicitor,” he said.

Here is his full statement: “I am Shayne Goodchild, Kate and Luke’s dad. Standing next to me is Kate’s partner, Dave Turner, who less than three days ago, lost the love of his life and the mother of their children in the most tragic of circumstances.

“I have lost my only daughter Kate and my youngest son Luke. We have also lost Roozi [Araghi], a man who, as Luke’s beloved partner, I considered to be another son.

“Kate, Luke and Roozi were taken so suddenly from us, and in such horrific circumstances, it is difficult for us to even know where to begin. Perhaps some ‘thanks’ are the easiest place to start.

“We cannot begin to express how much we appreciate the outpouring of love and support our families have received, from friends as well as from complete strangers.

“We understand that this tragedy has not only directly affected our families, but affected so many other people around the country.

“So many of us, like Kate, Luke, Roozi and Cindy, have visited Dreamworld and sat smiling and laughing with our loved ones on the same ride they were sitting on last Tuesday.

“We know that there have been candlelight vigils and prayers of support from people all around the country, and we are grateful and touched by this support.

“Kate’s tragic death has not only devastated Dave, her partner of 15 years, but it has also left her two beautiful daughters, Ebony and Evie, without a mum.

“Dave was standing next to the ride holding Evie when this tragic event happened, and Ebony was sitting next to her mum when they were thrown into the water.

“Dave not only has to deal with his own grief, but be strong for their beautiful daughters. Our darling Evie, is only 8 months old, and far too young to be without her mum.

“And he must be a rock for his oldest daughter Ebony, who saw her mum’s life taken. Our darling Ebony is only 12.

“Only 24 hours earlier, my family was on the beach, taking Evie into the waves for the very first time. It is truly devastating that Evie will never get to know just what an amazing person her mum was.

“We’ve also lost Luke and Roozi. Luke and Kate were as close as any brother and sister could be, and Luke’s loss is going to be felt by all of us. Evie and Ebony have not only lost their mum, the deaths of Luke and Roozi have also taken away two uncles who also loved and cherished them.

“Luke and Roozi have been partners for nearly a decade and are a truly inspirational couple to everyone who had the great fortune to have known them. To say “this is just not fair” doesn’t begin to express our despair. Their loss will be deeply felt not just amongst our families, but amongst all of their friends and work colleagues.

“We would also like to express our condolences to the family of Cindy Low. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cindy’s family, and particularly her son, who was also sitting on the raft with his mum.

“Like everyone else in Australia, we want to know what went wrong. We want to know why our loved ones were taken from us in such horrific circumstances. No-one wants those answers more than we do.

“The next few weeks and months are going to be incredibly difficult for our families.

“In the next few days we have to bury our beautiful children, and for Dave, his amazing partner. Roozi’s family have to farewell their incredible and inspirational son and brother. We also all have to help two little girls start to come to terms with the fact that their mum is never coming home.

“For this reason, we ask from the bottom of our hearts, on behalf of all our families, that the country give us time and space to grieve, and to farewell our loved ones.

“In particular, we ask that the media respect our wish to hold private farewells for Kate, Luke and Roozi. We understand the media interest their funerals will attract, but plead that we are allowed to grieve in private, at this most difficult time.

“We do not wish to make any comment about the actions of Dreamworld or its owners at this stage and prefer to wait until further details emerge from the investigation and Coronial process.

“There have been some question about whether the company has tried to contact us or offered any assistance. At this difficult time we would prefer that any future contact from the company or the media be made through our solicitor.

“Once we have had the opportunity to better come to terms with our losses, we will be willing to engage with the media.

“In the meantime we would like to thank the media in advance for respecting our wishes.”