Theft-related charges have been withdrawn against a Victorian woman who is recovering from horrific injuries sustained when she was hit by a rollercoaster at the Melbourne Royal Show.
The case against Shylah Rodden, who had faced two theft-related charges, was mentioned in Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
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Rodden had been accused of stealing a Samsung mobile phone valued at $1000 on August 5, 2021, and committing an indictable offense while on bail.
The police confirmed that they would no longer pursue the charges, which were formally withdrawn.
Rodden, 26, remains in a serious condition in hospital after the September 24 incident in which she is believed to have walked onto the track of the Rebel Coaster ride to retrieve her phone when she was struck by a moving carriage.
Witnesses reported that she was thrown several meters into the air before falling to the ground.
She spent weeks in an induced coma.
A hospital spokesperson recently told 7NEWS.com.au Rodden was now in a serious but stable condition after being brought out of the medically-induced coma at the end of last year.
She still faces a long road to recovery as her family keeps vigil by her hospital bedside.
Alan Rodden said his daughter had suffered “horrific” injuries that shocked the doctors.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Rodden’s ongoing care.
Rodden’s accident was another devastating blow for her family who were already dealing with the loss of her brother just months before.
Her family has also been the victims of online trolls, including two US comedians who used their podcast to make distasteful jokes at Rodden’s expense.
Eyewitness account
At the time of the accident, witness Jordan (surname withheld) recalled the harrowing moment of the crash.
He told 7NEWS.com.au he was filming the ride with his sister and his partner in the front carriage when it came around a loop and struck Rodden.
He said he was unable to sleep for days after witnessing the accident.
“We saw a lady in an area where she shouldn’t be. A worker told her to get away but we couldn’t hear the whole conversation, she just told her not to be there. That person started to walk away and I didn’t think much of it,” he said.
“It all happened so quickly but so slowly. All of a sudden, I saw someone getting taken up but at the same time I’m thinking ‘f***, my sister, my partner.’
Melbourne Royal Show CEO Brad Jenkins described the crash as a “tragic accident” and said his thoughts were with the young woman’s family and friends.
“It is a tragic accident and, 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 in general, but this was a tragic accident that shouldn’t have happened.”
He added the ride operator was experienced and the machine itself had not malfunctioned.
“This is a tragic accident, not a malfunction of a ride, so I can assure people that the rides are entirely safe,” he said.
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