Busch Garden ride closes in wake of deadly Australia accident

Officials shut down Congo River Rapids just as a precaution

TAMPA, Fla. – Busch Gardens in Tampa closed its Congo River Rapids ride on Tuesday after four people were killed in a similar ride in Australia.

The Tampa theme park shut down its ride while workers learn more and collaborate with other park operators and ride manufacturers. They hope to understand exactly what happened in Australia, where officials say the ride malfunctioned, killing two men and two women in their 30s and early 40s.

The Australian ride is known as Thunder River Rapids. Riders sit in circular rafts along a fast-moving man-made river.

The malfunction caused the people to be ejected from their raft, while two others were caught inside the ride.

Authorities say they don’t know if the two victims who were stuck in the rapids were trapped underwater, or caught in the machinery. Park staffers tried to help the victims, but their injuries were too severe.

It's unclear how long the Tampa ride will be closed. News 6 will check with Busch Gardens on Wednesday morning.