“The screaming was so loud”: Young woman struck by roller coaster
A young woman has been taken to hospital after being struck by a roller coaster at the Melbourne Royal Show.
Several witnesses reported hearing screams just before the ride was abruptly shut down at around 5.45pm on Sunday
Emergency services found the woman, in her 20s, with serious facial injuries at the show’s Rebel Coaster ride before she was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Police believe the woman walked onto the track while attempting to retrieve her phone.
“Police are currently on scene at the Melbourne Royal Show following reports a young woman has been injured,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“Officers are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and a crime scene has been established.
“It appears at this early stage the woman, believed to be aged in her 20s, may have walked on and entered the track to try to retrieve a dropped phone before she was hit by a roller coaster carriage, about 5.45pm.
“Sadly the woman was then found injured on the ground. Detectives from the Yarra Crime Investigation Unit are attending the scene and will work with WorkSafe to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Showgoers who were on the ride during the incident were reportedly stuck on it for several hours. Image: 7News
In a statement, the Melbourne Royal Show confirmed a “reported injury on the Rebel Coaster ride” and that no one fell from the ride.
“We are working closely with the ride operator, WorkSafe Victoria and Victoria Police to investigate the issue further, however we can confirm that no one has fallen from the ride,” the event said.
“The ride in question will be closed for the foreseeable future and updates will be made as information comes to hand.”
A stall owner told the Herald Sun she heard loud screams after the ride suddenly stopped.
“Everyone was stuck in the ride for one to two hours … but the screaming was so loud – I think everyone must have been really scared,” she said.
“The ride went up like normal, then there were screams, then it stopped and stayed that way for ages.”
Those on the Rebel Coaster when it stopped were reportedly stuck on the ride for over an hour.
Witnesses were moved away from the ride, which has been shut down, and the area was cordoned off.
Image: 7News