Perth Man Awarded $179,000 in Dreamworld Tragedy Compensation Says Legal System Has Let Him Down

Perth Man Awarded $179,000 in Dreamworld Tragedy Compensation

A Perth man who claimed his mother stole $179,000 in compensation after the 2016 Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids ride disaster believes the legal system has let him down.

Tom Hanson was just 16 when he tried to help people stuck on the ride after it flipped and trapped them in the water in Queensland in 2016. The ride disaster killed four people and injured many others, leaving Tom with lifelong trauma.

Tom was awarded $179,000 in compensation, but he claims his mother, Michelle Lisa Hanson, stole most of the money. Criminal proceedings against Michelle Hanson were discontinued yesterday, with prosecutors saying they were not in the public interest, given she had suffered a stroke and was not fit for trial.

Dean Hanson, Tom's father, said the experience had a devastating impact on his son. Dean Hanson is a 51-year-old Perth man who works as an electrical engineer. He said: ’It's had a massive impact. I mean, it's really hard to put into words how much of an impact.’

Dean Hanson said his son, Tom, was struggling to cope with the aftermath. He added: ’He probably hasn't had an hour over the last 10 years where he hasn't thought about it.’ The trauma has been ongoing, and Dean Hanson said Tom still thinks about the tragedy every hour of every day.

The criminal case dragged on for six years, with Michelle Hanson deemed unfit to stand trial after the stroke. However, under the new Criminal Law Impairment Act, a hearing could still have gone ahead to establish the facts. Dean Hanson said he was assured by the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions that the act would allow for a hearing, but it did not happen.

Dean Hanson said he was assured by the arresting police officer and the DPP that the Criminal Law Mental Impairment Act was there for this reason, but it did not lead to a hearing. He added: ’We were led to believe it would happen, but it didn't.'

The Director of Public Prosecutions has defended the decision, saying multiple circumstances had been taken into account, including mental impairment and the likely legal outcome. According to the DPP, these circumstances meant the case was not in the public interest.

Tom Hanson received the $179,000 compensation in 2017 as part of a settlement with the amusement park's owners. However, he claims his mother took most of it for herself. The money was later recovered through civil action, but Dean Hanson said his son deserved his day in court. He added: ’It would have given him some closure, and it would have given him a chance to see justice being served.’

Tom Hanson deserved a chance to see justice served, and having his day in court would have given him closure. Dean Hanson said his son was still seeking justice, and the family was still coming to terms with the aftermath of the tragedy.