Shylah Rodden rollercoaster victim remains deaf, blind two years after tragedy

A Melbourne woman struck by a rollercoaster and left fighting for life remains blind and deaf, two years after the tragedy.

Shylah Rodden, 26, was hit by a rollercoaster at the Royal Melbourne Show and suffered critical injuries in 2022. Picture: Facebook.

A Melbourne woman who was struck by a rollercoaster and left fighting for life remains blind and deaf almost two years on from the tragedy.

Shylah Rodden was hit by the Rebel Coaster at the Melbourne Royal Show in September 2022, suffering serious injuries to her head, pelvis, arms, legs and back.

It’s understood the carriage was travelling up to 70km/h at the time of impact, causing Ms Rodden to sustain a traumatic brain injury and crushed bones.

Ms Rodden’s mother, Kylie Rodden, exclusively told the Herald Sun her daughter can walk and talk but remains blind in her right eye and deaf in her left ear.

“She has no sense of smell, she has difficulties swallowing, she has cognitive disabilities and impairments,” she said.

“Most of her days are taken up with different types of therapies.”

Shylah Rodden remains deaf and blind, two years after the rollercoaster incident. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Rodden said the 28-year-old will most likely never work again.

“She has progressed but she still has a long way to go,” she said.

“Sometimes she needs the support of a walking frame and a wheelchair, she can only go a limited time before she has to rest.

“This is life-changing for Shylah, her whole life has changed.”

It comes as a WorkSafe spokesman confirmed on Monday that no further action would be taken against the ride operators after a 22-month probe.

Mrs Rodden said she was frustrated by the lack of details surrounding the investigation.

“I don’t know what happened, I haven’t seen any reports, so I’m not at peace with it,” she said.

“I don’t know how they came to their findings. All I received was a letter and it said that the investigation was closed, we have no details whatsoever.”

Ms Rodden’s lawyer, Sharlene Mehta from Arnold Thomas & Becker, said it could take up to eight months to receive a copy of the findings.

“Shylah and her family are understandably disappointed to hear that the WorkSafe investigation has been closed,” she said.

Ms Rodden in ICU after the rollercoaster incident.

Ms Rodden may never work again.

“At this stage we have only received a letter from WorkSafe advising that their investigations are complete and that they have decided not to bring a prosecution against the ride operator.

“We have not received a copy of WorkSafe’s report so we have no knowledge of what their investigations covered, or who was interviewed as part of their investigations.”

WorkSafe confirmed family liaison officers had ongoing communication with Ms Rodden’s nominated contacts during the probe and remain available to provide support.

But the Herald Sun understands the workplace authority did not interview Ms Rodden or her family members in relation to the incident.

Ms Mehta said the family may ask WorkSafe to reconsider their findings.

“The letter our client received outlined the option to request that WorkSafe reconsider its decision and undertake further investigation,” she said.

“There was no further information provided. Once we have received a copy of the WorkSafe findings, we will decide whether we wish to make such a request to WorkSafe.”

Mrs Rodden said she was “extremely grateful” her daughter survived.

“We are so proud of her, how far she has come and what she has been able to accomplish through her determination and grit,” she said.

“The people around her who have helped her, words cannot explain how grateful we are. I’m extremely grateful to have her.”