Shylah Rodden: How rollercoaster victim is defying the odds in her recovery

A Melbourne woman who was left fighting for life after she was struck by a moving rollercoaster is walking and talking again, one year after the horror accident.

Shylah Rodden, 26, suffered serious injuries to her head, pelvis, arms, legs and back when she was struck by the Rebel Coaster at the Melbourne Royal Show in September last year.

It’s understood the carriage was travelling up to 70km/h at the time of impact, causing Ms Rodden to suffer severe brain damage and crushed bones.

Ms Rodden’s mother, Kylie Rodden, said her daughter had “defied the odds” in her recovery.

“Over the past year our focus has been supporting Shylah with her recovery and assisting her to move forward with her life,” she said.

Ms Rodden’s lawyer, Sharlene Mehta from Arnold Thomas and Becker, said WorkSafe’s investigation remained ongoing.

“The accident has had far-reaching impacts on Shylah and her family, so the outcomes of these investigations are eagerly awaited,” she said.

“The family has indicated that once they receive further information from the investigations, they may then be open to providing further comments, but for now ask that their privacy is respected so that they can continue to focus on Shylah’s recovery”.

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