Six Flags shuts down X2 rollercoaster after brain injury claims
California amusement park Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently closes the X2 rollercoaster following brain injury allegations from hundreds of riders.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Six Flags permanently closes the X2 rollercoaster after operating since 2002.
- Hundreds of riders reported suffering brain injuries from the ride.
- Park officials stated the ride successfully passed multiple safety tests.
- The family of a 22-year-old victim who died in 2022 previously filed a lawsuit.
Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park in California, USA, has announced the permanent closure of its popular "X2" rollercoaster. This decision comes in the wake of numerous lawsuits and complaints from hundreds of visitors alleging they suffered traumatic brain injuries after riding the attraction, which is famous for its 360-degree rotating seats and notoriously long wait times. The ride had already been suspended since July.
Park executives maintained that the ride had successfully passed various safety inspections over the years. However, Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Brian Oerding stated during a Tuesday announcement that retiring the ride was the right action to take once guest confidence had been compromised, emphasizing that safety remains a core business priority.
Dordick Law Corporation, the firm representing plaintiffs in civil lawsuits against the park, revealed they were contacted by hundreds of individuals reporting injuries they believe stemmed from the rollercoaster. Attorneys noted that while the closure protects future visitors, it offers no relief to those who have already suffered harm.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Originally launched as "X" in 2002, the ride faced initial setbacks, closing months later for design flaw repairs. It shut down again in 2007 to undergo a train replacement with lighter models before reopening the following year as X2, drawing over 16 million passengers since then according to park data.
"That tragedy cannot be undone. The closure does not change the fact that Christopher Hawley was killed by a dangerous roller coaster that was allowed to operate for nearly two decades."
Brent Wisner, attorney at Wisner Baum LLP
The permanent shutdown of a major theme park attraction highlights growing scrutiny regarding extreme rides and high-G-force rollercoasters, particularly concerning long-term neurological impacts and brain trauma risks. Such incidents often draw parallels to safety regulations in contact sports or class-action litigation trends where public pressure forces operators to retire legacy rides.
Meanwhile, Wisner Baum LLP, the law firm representing the family of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley who died following a ride on X2 in 2022, argued that the closure was insufficient. Although Hawley's family reached a wrongful death settlement with the theme park in August, attorney Brent Wisner called for broader legal reform, proactive regulations, and stricter government oversight of amusement park operations.
Source: BBC World
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