Six Flags Permanently Retires X2 Coaster After Multiple Brain Injury Claims
Six Flags closes X2 coaster after multiple severe brain injury reports. Lawsuits and hospitalizations spark permanent shutdown.
POLICY WIRE — Valencia, California — Six Flags Magic Mountain has permanently shut down its X2 roller coaster following a string of incidents involving serious head injuries, according to recent developments.
The ride, which had been operational for nearly two decades, was closed on July 12 after two guests suffered life-threatening brain injuries within a week. The decision marks the end of an attraction once dubbed a rite of passage for the ultimate daredevil.
Despite passing numerous safety inspections, the park’s leadership cited concerns over guest confidence as the primary reason for the closure. Over 16 million people have ridden the coaster since its 2008 rebranding, but more than 100 riders now claim they suffered lasting neurological damage from the two-minute, 34-second journey.
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Recent cases include Pamela Guillen, who experienced a traumatic brain injury after riding the coaster in July, and Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, who lost consciousness and required emergency surgery. A third plaintiff, Michael Wick, underwent two brain surgeries and is now unable to work due to his condition. These incidents follow past cases, including the 2022 death of Christopher Hawley and 2010 fatality of Hilda Farias.
Six Flags has not publicly commented on the matter, citing ongoing legal proceedings. The closure coincides with the park’s plans to open Thrill Glider in 2027, a new suspended coaster designed by S&S Worldwide.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
