Six Flags Magic Mountain will permanently retire the X2 rollercoaster after hundreds of riders alleged brain injuries, with the ride having been closed since July. The park says the decision, though preceded by safety tests, is the right step to protect guest confidence amid lawsuits and reports of serious injuries, including a fatal case linked to the ride in 2022. Law firms representing injured riders welcomed the closure as a safety measure but noted it does not compensate those already harmed. X2, which opened as X in 2002 and reopened as X2 after design updates, has drawn more than 16 million riders over its history. The move signals a shift toward prioritizing guest safety, while advocates push for broader regulatory reform and oversight of amusement-ride operations.
Dive Deeper:
Hundreds of riders have alleged brain injuries linked to the X2 rollercoaster, prompting the park to retire the ride after it had already been closed since July.
Six Flags Magic Mountain emphasizes ride safety as a core business value and states the retirement is in response to declining guest confidence, despite safety tests reportedly passing.
Dordick Law Corporation, which filed lawsuits against the park, says it has heard from hundreds of individuals claiming injuries believed to be caused by X2, noting that some required emergency brain surgery.
The Hawley family, whose 22-year-old son Christopher Hawley died after riding X2 in 2022, views the closure as relief yet insufficient, and has urged broader legal reforms and stronger governmental oversight.
X2 originally opened in 2002 as X, faced early repairs for design flaws, was reintroduced in 2008 as X2 with lighter trains, and has since carried over 16 million riders.