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

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 from 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.

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

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.

“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 did not interview Ms Rodden or her family 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.”

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