Six Flags Permanently Closes X2 Roller Coaster Following Brain Injury Allegations

Six Flags has permanently shut down its X2 roller coaster at Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, the company announced on Tuesday, after a surge of former riders came forward with serious injury claims.

X2, a popular attraction that reaches speeds of 76 mph (122 km/h) and features seats that rotate 360 degrees, had been closed since mid-July.

In August, a CNN investigation revealed that two riders suffered brain hemorrhages in July. One of them, Los Angeles resident Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, remains hospitalized in a semi-conscious state, according to her lawyers Gary Dordick and Christopher Bulone. CNN also uncovered at least two deaths allegedly linked to the ride.

The scope of reported harm expanded after the investigation. More than 100 people say they were injured by X2, according to Bulone and Dordick, who filed three new civil lawsuits against the amusement park.

The attorneys have called X2 “defective” and accused the park of failing to adequately warn riders about the risk of head and brain injuries, according to court documents.

Brian Oerding, Magic Mountain’s park president, addressed the controversy while announcing the closure.

“While X2 consistently passed numerous safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when guest confidence is affected, we take it seriously,” he wrote in a Tuesday blog post.

“Since X2 opened in 2008, it has welcomed more than 16 million guests and earned a passionate following among ride enthusiasts. We recognize the special place X2 holds in the coaster community, and we are grateful to our team members who operated and maintained it throughout its run.”

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