Cairns show organisers speak out after woman's 30-metre ride fall
A young woman is reportedly in intensive care after falling 30 metres from a moving ride at a fair.
Crowds of onlookers spiralled into a panic at Showfest at the Cairns Showgrounds in Far North Queensland after the 25-year-old fell from The Hangover ride about 5.30pm (AEST) on Saturday.
Paramedics told media the woman, who was rushed to Cairns Base Hospital, sustained serious and traumatic injuries in the fall.
Organisers of the Cairns Showfest said in a statement they were “deeply shocked and saddened by an incident”.
“We are working closely with Cairns Police, WHS, and emergency responders, who are investigating the incident,” the statement read.
“As organisers of Showfest, we have been given absolutely no details of the young lady, or her family, or any specific reasons for the cause of the accident.
“However, the organisers would like to reach out to express their deep concern, and are hoping the lady’s recovery is paramount.
“It is also accepted that many people present were thoroughly stressed by the incident, and this is the opposite of what the organisers set out to do by bringing the event to Cairns this week.”
Distressing footage emerges online
A shocking video published by news.com.au and 9News captured the moment the woman fell from the ride and landed at the base amongst its machinery, with passengers still on board heard yelling.
One alarmed onlooker shouted,“Oh my god, we need an ambulance”, while others rushed to the bottom of the ride in desperate attempts to reach the victim.
Despite the unfolding ordeal, the ride continued operating and its music continued playing before it was eventually stopped.
Forensic Crash Investigators and Workplace Health and Safety established a joint investigation following the horrible incident.
The event ran from Thursday to Saturday in Cairns and was advertised at the “greatest show on earth”.
A woman's in intensive care in hospital tonight after falling up to 30 metres from an amusement park ride in Cairns. @JordanFabris9 #9News pic.twitter.com/j9KA5gzUHO
— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) October 25, 2020
Passengers on The Hangover ride get rotated a full 360 degrees in chairs on a metal arm, forcing them into an upside-down position at its highest point.
A man who filmed the aftermath and shared it to Facebook said he believed the woman had fallen while she was hanging upside down.
“While the ride was upside down, she fell from the top, and this is the outcome,” he was heard saying, panning to reveal a huge crowd staring in the direction of the ride.
There were also several fire trucks, police cars and ambulance crews shown at the scene.
The woman remains in a stable condition, according to Cairns Post, with 9News reporting she is in intensive care.
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