Six Flags Magic Mountain’s X2 rollercoaster: Ride ‘permanently retired’ after alleged brain injuries, deaths

A rollercoaster which has been linked to more than 100 brain injuries and multiple deaths will permanently close.

The X2 Rollercoaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, has been closed since July 12, after two people underwent brain surgery within days of each other after riding the rollercoaster.

Since then, more than 100 others have come forward alleging brain injuries.

In its fraught history, two people have died after riding the rollercoaster, Hildar Farias in 2010 and Christopher Hawley in 2022.

Mr Hawley’s neurosurgeon likened his injuries to “shaken baby syndrome”.

His wrongful-death lawsuit was recently settled, NBC News reported.

‘Ultimate daredevil’ ride

The X2 rollercoaster, which opened in 2002, advertises itself as a “rite of passage for the ultimate daredevil” on Six Flags Magic Mountain’s website.

As it travels more than 1.1 kilometres, the “fifth-dimension wing rollercoaster” reaches a top speed of 122.3 kilometres an hour and an elevation of almost 61 metres.

“Feel your sense of direction disappear as you fly through an unreal assortment of dives, flips and twists plus two ultra-rare ‘raven turns’ — half loops that change their minds midway and become sheer drops,” the website reads.

“To make things even better, your 360° seat extends on wings far off the track, so your body will be flipping around the entire time.

“Quite simply, you will be spun into another dimension.”

Hundreds claim injuries

Last week, three lawsuits were filed against Six Flags, with three individuals claiming they suffered “catastrophic brain damage” from the ride.

Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, has been in a coma since riding the rollercoaster in July and undergoing brain surgery.

Her visit came six days after another incident which saw Pamela Guillen suffer a severe subdural haematoma and brain compression.

After brain surgery, Ms Guillen had to re-learn how to walk and talk.

The third lawsuit was filed by Michael Wilk, who said he has had multiple brain surgeries and suffered brain bleeding after boarding the ride in February.

More than 100 others have come forward alleging brain injuries of differing severity.

Dodrick Law Corporation said they had been contacted by about 400 people who alleged they were injured from the ride, the BBC reported.

Permanently retired after 20 years

The closure was announced by Six Flags Magic Mountain Park president Brian Oerding in a statement shared on their website.

“After almost 20 years, we have decided to permanently retire X2,” he wrote.

Mr Oerding said that since opening in 2008, more than 16 million people had boarded the rollercoaster.

“While X2 consistently passed a multitude of safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it’s the right thing to do,” he continued.

“Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.

“Our purpose is to create FUN, thrills and a lifetime of memories by creating unforgettable experiences that are underpinned by comprehensive safety policies.”

Reactions to closure

Ms Greer-Wilkinson’s parents told CNN the closure was “long overdue”.

“Six Flags knew years ago that X2 was putting people at grave risk and chose to continue gambling with their lives anyway,” they said.

“This should have happened long before Naomi’s brain injury but we’re happy to hear that now finally no one else’s daughter or sister will ever be hurt on this ride again.”

Ms Guillen, who is no longer in hospital, echoed those sentiments in a statement to the outlet.

“I’m relieved that X2 is closing for good,” she said.

“I never should have been hurt, and neither should the others who were. … I also hope Six Flags will put better safety and inspection measures in place across all of its parks and rides.”

Brent Wisner, an attorney representing the family of Mr Hawley, who died in 2022, said the closure was a relief.

He told the BBC the family was “relieved to hear that Six Flags is finally closing the X2, 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”.

“We cannot rely on profit-centered corporations to do the right thing only after enough people have been hurt,” he continued.

“We hope that whatever replaces the X2 is safe.”