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Cairns Showfest fall: Police to hold Hangover ride for investigation

Police have revealed the next step in their investigation after a woman fell from a ride in front of hundreds of witnesses at the Cairns Showfest.

Police investigate serious accident at Cairns Showgrounds

POLICE have broken their silence after a woman fell from a ride at the Cairns Showfest while hundreds of people looked on in horror.

The Hangover, an inverted pendulum ride, has been taped off by police and will remain in place while Workplace Health and Safety conduct an investigation into a horror fall on Saturday night.

The WHS investigators attended the scene on the night of the fall.

“We are still holding that scene until investigations have been finalised,” Acting Inspector Brett Jenkins said.

SHOWFEST ORGANISER SPEAKS AFTER WOMAN PLUMMETS FROM RIDE

Police officers guard the scene of a workplace accident, where a 25 year old female fell a significant distance from an amusement ride at the Cairns Showgrounds, suffering multiple critical injuries. Picture: Brendan Radke
Police officers guard the scene of a workplace accident, where a 25 year old female fell a significant distance from an amusement ride at the Cairns Showgrounds, suffering multiple critical injuries. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The ride will remain in situ until all investigations are complete.

“It will to go on for as long as it takes.”

He would not comment about the co-operation of show organisers with police following the accident.

He said the 25-year-old woman was in a stable condition and “closely monitored” at Cairns Hospital’s intensive care unit.

VIDEO: DISTURBING AFTERMATH OF HORROR FALL

Acting Inspector Brett Jenkins outside Cairns Showgrounds, a short distance away from where a 25 year old fell from the Hangover ride.
Acting Inspector Brett Jenkins outside Cairns Showgrounds, a short distance away from where a 25 year old fell from the Hangover ride.

A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said the woman fell 30m from the pendulum and suffered serious and traumatic injuries.

A/Insp Jenkins said the woman’s family were grateful for the support of emergency services following the accident and “most respectfully have asked that people not make any speculation about the incident on social media”.

WITNESS DESCRIBES WOMAN’S FALL

People look on in horror after a 25-year-old woman fell about 30m from the Hang Over ride at the Cairns Showfest. PICTURE: SCREENSHOT
People look on in horror after a 25-year-old woman fell about 30m from the Hang Over ride at the Cairns Showfest. PICTURE: SCREENSHOT

“Investigators have requested that anyone with any knowledge about the incident, particularly any footage, to make themselves known to police,” A/Insp Jenkins said.

“Any information is crucial to the investigation.”

Originally published as Cairns Showfest fall: Police to hold Hangover ride for investigation

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/showfest-police-to-hold-hangover-ride-for-investigations/news-story/90dc4e262e6befef53f3494dd321f4f6