Rollercoaster crash twist: Operator could still be charged over Shylah Rodden ... trends now
The operators of a rollercoaster that ploughed into Melbourne woman Shylah Rodden could still be charged by the safety watchdog - even if she was intoxicated when she walked on the tracks.
Ms Rodden faces years of rehabilitation after suffering a massive brain injury when she was flung nine metres into the air by the fast-moving ride while trying to retrieve a dropped phone at the Melbourne Royal Show on September 24.
While the results of Shylah's toxicology report from the time of the accident have never been made public, police sources suggested she may have been under the influence of some form of medication.
Whatever was or was not in Shylah Rodden's system at the time a roller coaster struck her won't make a difference to the workplace investigation
Horrifying footage shows Shylah Rodden (pictured in black) moments before being hit by the Rebel Coaster at the Melbourne Royal show on September 24
On the day she was struck by the rollercoaster, Shylah had been working at a friend's stall at the Melbourne Royal Show.
The pair had been on a break when they decided to go on a few rides to kill time.
It is understood Shylah dropped her phone while on the rollercoaster and police believe she walked onto the tracks of the high-speed ride to retrieve the device.
Shocking footage released via a tasteless TikTok video showed the moment of impact.
Government sources told Daily Mail Australia this week that whatever drove Shylah to jump onto the tracks was not a concern of the safety watchdog.
It is understood WorkSafe is investigating what the ride's operators were doing when Shylah made her way onto the tracks.
'Her toxicity levels are not relevant to the investigation into whether the duty holder was doing everything reasonably practicable to provide a safe and healthy workplace,' a source told Daily Mail Australia.
A WorkSafe inspection concluded that The Rebel Coaster was 'safe' to re-open just days after the accident, allowing operators to re-open the ride to the public.
A Melbourne Royal Show spokeswoman claimed 'the safety and well-being of our visitors to the show continues to be our number one priority' (pictured, the Royal Melbourne Show)
The move was slammed at the time by Shylah's family, who branded it 'shameful'.
A Show spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia at the time that WorkSafe had declared the ride was safe to be re-opened.
'The safety and well-being of our visitors to the show continues to be our number one priority,' she said in a statement.
'Strict safety protocols are upheld in line with Victorian WorkSafe regulations. All rides on site have undergone stringent compliance inspections and have passed all the required safety documentation.'
Questions over the height of fences around the ride (pictured) remain unanswered by Show management
A passenger on the ride can be seen jumping off it with her handbag
Daily Mail Australia asked organisers to reveal what, if any, new
