Major update in one of Australia's biggest mysteries as families finally get answers 45 years after their loved ones were killed

By NCA NEWSWIRE

Published: | Updated:

Only a select few individuals will get to read a police report into a fatal fire that killed six boys and one man at Sydney's Luna Park more than four decades ago as a coroner mulls whether to launch a second inquest into the tragedy.

NSW State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan made suppression orders over a police report by Strike Force Sedgeman during a brief hearing on Tuesday.

Police launched the strike force in April 2021 after the ABC reported allegations the blaze might have been deliberately lit and officers helped cover up the crime.

On the evening of June 9, 1979, John Godson and sons Damien, six, and Craig, four, and mates Jonathan Billings, Richard Carroll, Michael Johnson and Seamus Rahilly, aged 12 to 13, were killed when the ghost train became engulfed in flames. 

Initial investigations pointed to an electrical fault and some subsequent inquiries proved non-conclusive.

But the ABC alleged there were links between the fire and Sydney underworld figure Abe Saffron's bid to secure prime waterfront property.

Mr Saffron has since died.

In June 2021, a $1million reward was offered by the NSW government for anyone who came forward with information about the deadly blaze.

On Tuesday, counsel assisting Rob Ranken said family members of those who died wished to join in an application to reopen an inquest into the fire.

Six boys and one man were killed when the Ghost Train at Sydney's iconic Luna Park (pictured in 2020) became engulfed in flames on the evening of June 9, 1979

Six boys and one man were killed when the Ghost Train at Sydney's iconic Luna Park (pictured in 2020) became engulfed in flames on the evening of June 9, 1979 

John Godson and sons Damien, six, and Craig, four, and mates Jonathan Billings, Richard Carroll, Michael Johnson and Seamus Rahilly, aged 12 to 13, were killed when the ghost train (pictured) became engulfed in flames almost four decades ago

John Godson and sons Damien, six, and Craig, four, and mates Jonathan Billings, Richard Carroll, Michael Johnson and Seamus Rahilly, aged 12 to 13, were killed when the ghost train (pictured) became engulfed in flames almost four decades ago

He said the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission had agreed to provide a redacted copy of the Sedgeman report to parties involved in the coronial proceedings.

The commission was also working to see if it could vary the suppression orders so that more material could be disclosed.

But the report was blocked from the general public after Ms O'Sullivan ordered it not be published more broadly.

The coroner is yet to decide whether to launch the fresh inquest and is awaiting submissions from the parties after they have seen the redacted Sedgeman document.

The matter will return to court on October 28.

Sydney

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