Six Flags Permanently Closes X2 Rollercoaster Amid Brain Injury Allegations
The amusement park cited guest confidence and the desire to do the right thing after hundreds of riders alleged harm.
Six Flags Magic Mountain will permanently close its X2 rollercoaster, a prominent attraction known for its spinning seats, after hundreds of riders claimed to have sustained brain injuries. The ride has been closed since July.
In a statement Tuesday, Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Brian Oerding said, "Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously." He added that the decision to retire the ride was "the right thing to do," despite the park stating that X2 had passed numerous safety tests.
The closure follows multiple lawsuits and reports detailing allegations from hundreds of individuals who believe they suffered brain injuries due to the X2 ride. Dordick Law Corporation, representing some plaintiffs, stated that the park's decision comes "too late" for those already affected.
"They got on X2 expecting a thrill. Instead, they left with catastrophic brain injuries," the law firm said in a statement. "Some needed emergency brain surgery. Some are still fighting to get their lives back."
The X2 rollercoaster originally opened as X in 2002 but experienced closures for design flaw repairs and later for lighter train replacements in 2007. Reopened as X2 the following year, the ride has since carried more than 16 million passengers, according to the park.
The announcement also comes after a wrongful death suit settlement involving the family of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley, who died in 2022 after riding X2. His family's attorney, Brent Wisner of Wisner Baum LLP, noted that while the closure is a relief, "it does not change the fact that Christopher Hawley was killed by a dangerous roller coaster that was allowed to operate for nearly two decades."
Wisner called for legal reform, proactive regulation, and government oversight, stating, "We cannot rely on profit-centered corporations to do the right thing only after enough people have been hurt." He expressed hope that any future replacement ride would be safe.