Woman hit by rollercoaster and trapped in her own body to spend Christmas in hospital
Topics: Australia, World News
Jess Hardiman
Featured Image Credit: @shy.rodden/Instagram/9News
Topics: Australia, World News
The Australian woman who was injured by a ride at the Melbourne Royal Show earlier this year will reportedly be spending Christmas in hospital as her recovery continues.
Shylah Rodden, 26, had been at the Melbourne Royal Show in Australia on Sunday 25 September, when she was struck by a ride.
After suffering ‘horrific’ injuries to her head, pelvis, arms, legs and back, Rodden was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she was placed in a medically induced coma.
According to 7News, Rodden will spend Christmas in hospital ‘as her recovery process continues’.
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The Australian outlet said a hospital spokesperson confirmed today (Friday 23 December) that she remained in a stable condition after being brought out of a medically-induced coma last month.
It is believed Rodden was hit as she went to retrieve a dropped phone.
Walking onto the track, she was hit by a Rebel Coaster carriage and dragged upwards before falling from a height of around nine meters.
Earlier this week, hospital staff confirmed to the Daily Mail that Shylah has since woken up and her condition has been changed to stable.
However, her concerned family members still fear for her position, saying she has a long road of recovery ahead.
Speaking to the outlet, Rodden's younger sister Caisha said: "She had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury so if that’s what people think is stable they are wrong.
"Just because she’s awake doesn’t mean she's stable."
She added that Rodden is currently unable to communicate.
A GoFundMe launched by a close friend of Rodden's family has already raised more than AUD $22,000 (£12,190), which will go towards her extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
Melbourne Royal Show CEO Brad Jenkins previously described the incident as a 'tragic accident'.
"From our understanding, there was a mobile phone at the base of the Rebel Coaster that she dropped on the ride and she went back to recover the mobile phone," he said.
"Regrettably, she was tragically struck by the cart coming down.
"It is an extreme rollercoaster which is a lot of fun generally, but this was a tragic accident that shouldn’t have happened."
Jenkins said the operator of the ride was experienced, and that the machine had not malfunctioned, adding: "This is a tragic accident, not a malfunction of a ride, so I can assure people that the rides are entirely safe."