Updated

The Australian theme park where four people died on a river rapids ride has defended its safety record as police vetoed plans to reopen its doors to the public three days after the tragedy.

Dreamworld park on Queensland state's Gold Coast has been closed as a crime scene since two men and two women died on Tuesday when their raft flipped on the 30-year-old Thunder River Rapids ride.

Dreamworld announced on Wednesday that it plans to reopen with a memorial day for the victims on Friday. Profits would be donated to charity and "activities will be limited to smaller rides, animal attractions, and the water park."

But Dreamworld said on Thursday police had advised that the park could not reopen this week.