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Show boss speaks out after woman critically injured

Ride horror at Melbourne show

The boss of the Melbourne Royal Show has spoken about the “devastating” accident that left a young woman fighting for her life in hospital.

The 26-year-old woman suffered critical head injuries after she apparently walked on to the tracks of the Rebel Coaster ride on Sunday night to retrieve her phone.

She was hit by a carriage about 5.45pm and fell injured to the ground. Nine News reported on Monday that she was lifted up into the air and then “fell from around nine metres high”.

The woman was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital with critical injuries to her face. The hospital said on Monday morning her condition was unchanged.

Her father had told News Corp that his daughter suffered “horrific” injuries and was fighting for her life.

“The injuries are horrific. Horrific. She’s brain damaged. It’s pelvic, her arms, legs, back, neck – there’s hardly a thing that’s not broken,” he said.

Police and Worksafe are investigating the incident.

All of the rides at the show had been cleared by Worksafe before they began operating last Thursday, Melbourne Royal chief executive Brad Jenkins said.

The operator of the roller-coaster involved in Sunday’s incident was “absolutely devastated”, Mr Jenkins said.

“‘It’s a very tight-knit show community … and everyone is totally devastated,” he told ABC Radio Melbourne on Monday morning.

“The show is about putting smiles on people’s faces and tragedies like this are just devastating for everyone involved.”

Melbourne Royal Show will remain open this week as investigations continue and Mr Jenkins was hopeful patrons would not be deterred from attending.

“It was a tragic accident,” he said.

“It had nothing to do with a ride malfunction or anything of that nature.

“I’m confident all of the rides have been signed off by Worksafe and are safe.”

The Rebel Coaster ride remained shut on Monday. Show organisers said it would not operate to the foreseeable future, although the rest of the show has reopened.

Amusement industry figure Damian De Jong, who runs ride supplier Action Events, said the incident would leave a lasting impact on the show community.

“It’s terrible when things like this happen, it’s just not good for the industry, it’s not good for the person who’s been injured, it’s a terrible incident,” he told the ABC.

This year’s show was the first in Melbourne in three years, after a hiatus due to the pandemic. It runs until October 2.

-with AAP

Topics: victoria
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