The family of a woman who suffered severe injuries in a rollercoaster crash have slammed a theme park for reopening the ride.
Shylah Rodden, 26, was struck by a carriage and hurled nine metres into the air before landing on the ground at the Melbourne Royal Show on Sunday (September 25).
The Australian woman is thought to have been hit after walking onto the track of the Rebel Coaster to retrieve her phone.
She was taken to Royal Melbourne hospital with critical head injuries, and remains in an intensive care unit.
After closing the ride for several days following the incident, the Melbourne Royal Show have now announced its reopening, saying inspectors from health and safety agency WorkSafe had given it the all-clear.
A statement from the event organisers read: "Following the tragic accident at the Rebel Coaster ride on Sunday afternoon at the Melbourne Royal Show, WorkSafe has finalised an inspection report advising that the ride is safe and may be reopened from today.
"Strict safety protocols are upheld in line with Victorian WorkSafe regulations."
They added that their "number one priority" would be the wellbeing of their visitors.
But after spending days by their daughter's bedside, the family have told 7 News that they are “saddened and appalled” at the decision to reopen the rollercoaster so soon.
They also said they had heard several people express pre-existing concerns to them about the safety of the ride in the days since the accident.
Speaking earlier this week, Melbourne Royal chief executive Brad Jenkins said the operator of the rollercoaster involved in Sunday’s incident was “absolutely devastated”, and revealed that all rides had been cleared by Worksafe before the event began last Thursday.
The Melbourne Royal Show is an annual agricultural show held in the city's Showgrounds, drawing crowds in the hundreds of thousands each year.
The event features popular horse, cattle and alpaca displays, alongside an equestrian competition and a funfair.
A police investigation into Sunday's accident continues.
