Shylah Rodden fighting for life after rollercoaster crash at Melbourne Royal Show
The victim of a rollercoaster accident entered a fenced-off area after being told workers would stop the ride and fetch her phone, investigators have been told.
Victoria
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The victim of Sunday’s Melbourne Royal Show rollercoaster accident snuck inside a fenced-off area to retrieve her dropped mobile phone despite being told workers would stop the ride and fetch it for her, investigators have been told.
Shylah Rodden, 26, remained in a critical condition at Royal Melbourne Hospital as WorkSafe inspectors gave show management and the ride’s operators the go-ahead to reopen the popular Rebel Coaster.
It came as shocking footage of Ms Roden being hit by the roller coaster carriage was uploaded to social media.
The video appeared on TikTok on Tuesday and showed the woman inside the safety rail before being hit.
The Herald Sun has chosen not to run the video of the incident, which also captures the woman being dragged by the carriage.
Ms Rodden’s horrific list of injuries included brain damage, a broken pelvis, broken arms, legs and ribs.
Her father, Alan Rodden, told the Herald Sun his daughter was “plodding along” and “will be all right”.
Nearby show staff, some of whom gave statements to investigators, told the Herald Sun the ride was regularly stopped so workers could collect dropped keys, phones and wallets from the base of the loop-the-loop. One worker told the Herald Sun that Ms Rodden was told she would only have to wait 20 minutes to get her phone back.
Just minutes later, she was hit by one of the roller-coasters as it completed the loop-the-loop.
The rollercoaster then carried her back up towards the top of the ride.
She fell on to the bitumen below when a worker hit an emergency stop button, which bought the ride to a jolting stop.
It is unclear precisely how Ms Rodden managed to get on to the tracks, which are surrounded by an almost 2m tall fence.
There appeared to be no security cameras along the fence line.
Ride reopens after WorkSafe inspection
The safety watchdog has cleared the rollercoaster ride involved in Sunday’s accident to reopen.
In a statement, the Melbourne Royal Show said the ride reopened on Tuesday after WorkSafe finalised their inspection report.
“Following the tragic accident at the Rebel Coaster ride on Sunday afternoon, WorkSafe has finalised an inspection report advising that the ride is safe,” a statement said.
“(The ride) may be reopened from Tuesday.”
The show said safety and wellbeing of visitors continued to be their main priority.
“Strict safety protocols are upheld in line with Victorian WorkSafe regulations,” the statement said.
“All rides on site have undergone stringent compliance inspections and have passed all the required safety documentation.”
The Melbourne Royal Show will continue to operate until October 2.
Family rocked by second tragedy
The tragedy comes less than two months after the Rodden family lost Shylah’s brother, Jason.
In a post on social media, Shylah wrote that her “world came crashing down”.
“Dad sat me down and told me that my brother had passed away,” she wrote on July 27.
“He wasn’t just my big brother, he was my best friend, my everything, the person I looked up to and inspired to be like.
“He taught me so much in life, he showed me the difference between right and wrong and he was never afraid to tell me how he really feels.
“It doesn’t feel real, I keep thinking you’ll call me back.”
Mr Rodden said the family was devastated.
“The doctors have said they haven’t seen anything as bad as this for a long time,” Mr Rodden told the Daily Mail.
“The injuries are horrific. Horrific. She’s brain-damaged. (She has injured her) arms, pelvis, legs, back, neck – there’s hardly a thing that’s not broken. I just can’t work out how the hell so much damage has been done.
“She’s going to be in a coma for quite a while.”
Ms Rodden had been helping a friend at a stall at the Melbourne Royal Show and was on a rostered break at the time of the incident.
She and a colleague had decided to go on a few rides while on their break before their shift ended.
Showgoers reported hearing blood-curdling screams before the ride was shut down abruptly about 5.45pm on Sunday.
“The screaming was so loud, I think everyone must have been scared,” one stall owner said of the aftermath.
Another witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “All of a sudden it (the ride) stopped and jolted almost. You just saw a body fall to the ground. There was such a big bang. I’ve never heard anything like that.”
Melbourne Royal Show chief executive Brad Jenkins said Ms Rodden had been “tragically struck” while trying to retrieve her mobile phone, which had fallen while she was on the ride.
“Our thoughts are with the young woman … involved in this tragic accident and her family and friends,” Mr Jenkins said, adding the horrific incident had sent shockwaves through the show community.
“Everyone is totally devastated, the show community, the carnival operators, the food vendors,” he said.
“The show is about putting smiles on people’s faces and the last thing we want is a tragic accident like this.”
He said the operator of the ride was experienced and at this stage of the investigation did not appear at fault.
However, the family is disputing show officials’ version of events.
In a statement, Chants Amusements said: “Given the ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment on (the) incident other than to say our thoughts are with the injured person and their family, as well as with our patrons and staff.”
Friends took to social media on Monday to share their support.
“You’re the strongest person I know,” friend Charlotte Motley posted. “Just hold on, I can’t lose you now.”
Tenika Mcpherson said: “Prayers are with you.”
Another friend, Shelby Quinn, said: “Come on, girl, you can pull through, please keep fighting, Shy. Prayers and thoughts with you and your family.”
Detectives from the Yarra crime investigation unit continue to probe the incident and WorkSafe is also investigating.
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