Jakarta, ThedailyID — Six Flags Magic Mountain in California has permanently closed its X2 roller coaster after dozens of riders reported injuries, including serious brain injuries.
The decision came after several visitors reported severe medical problems. Two women required emergency brain surgery after riding X2 in July.
Located in Valencia, north of Los Angeles, X2 was one of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s most popular attractions. The ride could reach speeds of 130 kilometers per hour, with steep drops and sharp turns.
Its seats could also rotate 360 degrees while the train moved. The combination made X2 a major attraction for fans of extreme rides.
However, the ride has faced several lawsuits over alleged passenger injuries. One recent case involved 40-year-old Pamela Guillen.
Guillen suffered a severe subdural hematoma and brain compression after riding X2 on July 5. Her family told CNN that she needed emergency surgery, during which doctors removed part of her skull to treat the condition.
A similar incident happened less than a week later. Naomi Greer Wilkinson, 25, lost consciousness after riding X2 and also required emergency brain surgery.
According to her parents, Wilkinson remained in a coma for weeks. She is still unable to speak or breathe without assistance, they said.
X2 stopped operating shortly after the second incident. On September 28, Six Flags Magic Mountain announced that it would permanently close the ride.
Six Flags Magic Mountain President Brian Oerding said the decision came after nearly 20 years of operation.
“After nearly 20 years, we have decided to permanently discontinue the operation of X2,” Oerding said.
He said X2 had attracted more than 16 million visitors since opening in 2008. The ride also had a loyal following among extreme amusement ride enthusiasts.
Oerding said X2 had consistently passed safety tests. However, the park still decided to close the attraction permanently.
“We decided to close the ride because we believe it is the right thing to do,” Oerding said. He added that ride safety remains a core priority for the business.
Meanwhile, attorneys representing Wilkinson said they had received reports from more than 100 people who claimed they suffered injuries after riding X2.
Attorney Christopher Bulone of Dordick Law said the ride’s design could expose passengers to risks they might not anticipate.
“The design of this ride makes it inherently dangerous,” Bulone told reporters.
Six Flags, which operates amusement parks across North America, has not commented on the ongoing lawsuits.
The X2 legal disputes also include earlier cases. In August, Six Flags and ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide Inc. reached a settlement with the family of Christopher Hawley, 22, who died after riding X2 in 2022.
Another lawsuit is scheduled for trial next year. Sheila Katerelos, 56, alleges that she suffered a traumatic brain injury after riding X2 in 2020.
