A woman has faced court accused of stealing a portion of her son’s compensation payout from the Dreamworld ride tragedy.

Michelle Hanson and her son Tom, who was 16 at the time, were in the raft behind the ill-fated one that flipped in 2016, killing four people.

Tom was one of the first people to attempt to help Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozbeh Araghi and Cindy Low.

Woman accused of stealing part of son's Dreamworld tragedy compensation
Michelle Hanson and her son Tom, who was 16 at the time, were in the raft behind the ill-fated one that flipped in 2016, killing four people. (9News)

A compensation claim launched by Ms Hanson on Tom’s behalf for psychological trauma paid out $179,000.

It is claimed she kept more than $149,000 and only gave her son $30,000.

Dreamworld tragedy victims (from left): Cindy Low, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Kate Goodchild.
Dreamworld tragedy victims (from left): Cindy Low, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Kate Goodchild. (Nine)

Because she was on the ride herself, Ms Hanson also launched a compensation claim which was successful, although it is unknown how much it paid.

West Australian police became involved when Tom approached them about the money last year.

Four people were killed while riding the Thunder River Rapids at Dreamworld in 2016.
Four people were killed while riding the Thunder River Rapids at Dreamworld in 2016. (Supplied)

Ms Hanson did not enter a plea and will face court again in July.

Her lawyer has indicated she will fight the charge.



This content first appear on 9news

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