The Six Flags X2 roller coaster at Magic Mountain in Valencia is officially being permanently closed following a surge of lawsuits alleging that riders suffered serious brain injuries.
Safety Concerns and Permanent Closure
Six Flags Magic Mountain President Bryan Oerding stated on the 23rd that while the X2 ride consistently passed numerous safety inspections, the park determined that permanent closure was the necessary course of action, emphasizing that guest safety remains the core of their business operations.
First introduced in 2002 as the ‘X’ and later rebranded as X2 in 2008 following a major renovation, the ride was globally recognized as the world’s first 4D wing roller coaster. Known for its intense nature, it featured seats that rotated independently from the vehicle, reaching speeds of up to 76 mph while executing extreme drops and spins.
Lawsuits and Allegations of Brain Injuries
Public scrutiny intensified this past July following a string of reported incidents. Family members reported that on July 5, 40-year-old Pamela Guillen lost consciousness after her head was repeatedly jolted during the ride. She was rushed to the hospital where she underwent emergency surgery for a severe subdural hematoma and brain compression. Just six days later, 25-year-old Los Angeles resident Naomi Greer-Wilkinson also lost consciousness after riding X2 and subsequently required brain surgery, according to her family.
Following these events, three separate lawsuits have been filed against Six Flags. The legal team representing the plaintiffs, Dordick Law Corporation, claims that over 100 passengers have suffered traumatic brain injuries while riding X2. Furthermore, in August, Six Flags and the ride’s manufacturer, S&S Worldwide, reached a settlement with the family of 22-year-old Christopher Holley, who died from a brain injury sustained after riding X2 in 2022.
Although Magic Mountain has not released a specific final operating date, the park has confirmed that the decision to retire the ride is final and X2 will not reopen to the public. During its tenure, the ride served more than 16 million passengers.
