Shylah Rodden was retrieving her phone from the tracks of the Rebel Coaster ride when she was hit by the roller coaster, after having dropped the phone when she was on the ride in September 2022.
After the roller coaster struck the 26-year-old, which was believed to be travelling up to 70km/h, it carried her nine metres up into the air before she fell back to the ground in front of crowds of people.
Rodden suffered horrific injuries to most of her body and remained in a critical condition for days.
A year on, her family has provided a positive update on Rodden’s recovery but the journey is not over yet.
“We are so grateful to see her progress from the horrific injuries she suffered,” Rodden’s mother Kylie said in a statement released by their lawyer from Arnold Thomas Becker.
“She has defied the odds and is now walking, talking and doing things that we were told by doctors, may not be possible.”
But despite the positive news of Rodden’s recovery from her life-threatening injuries, Kylie said the family had received “relentless abuse and criticism”.
“What happened was a tragic accident, which as a family we’ve had to deal with,” she said.
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“To be hearing and reading the negative comments made in the media and on social media has been hurtful to Shylah and our family.
“This sort of negativity has a real impact on the progress that has been made. We’ve done our best to shield Shylah from these comments, as so much of it has been misguided and, in many instances, cruel.
“Unfortunately, Shylah has seen these comments and they really affect her.”
Kylie said that by releasing a statement to the media now, she hopes the negative comments will come to an end so Rodden can continue with her recovery.
”Our wish is to keep moving forward and to enable Shylah to continue with her recovery and focus on the incredible progress that she’s making,” she added.
Arnold Thomas Becker laywer Sharlene Mehta, who is representing the Roddens, said the family welcomes the Work Safe investigation that is currently underway into the accident.
“The accident has had far-reaching impacts on Shylah and her family, so the outcomes of these investigations are eagerly awaited,” Mehta said.
