Six Flags Magic Mountain is permanently closing the X2 rollercoaster after a wave of brain injury claims from riders.
The park, located near Los Angeles, said the park had closed the attraction in July after a surge of lawsuits and media reporting about hundreds of riders alleging brain injuries.
“Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously,” declared Six Flags Magic Mountain park president Brian Oerding in the announcement.
Dordick Law Corporation, which filed civil suits against the park, said it had been contacted by hundreds of people reporting injuries they believe were caused by X2, with some needing emergency brain surgery.
“They got on X2 expecting a thrill. Instead, they left with catastrophic brain injuries,” the firm said. “Some are still fighting to get their lives back.”
The park’s closure comes despite an earlier claim that X2 had passed a range of safety tests. Critics argue the ride had known design flaws, noting it had closed in 2002 for repairs and again in 2007 after replacing its trains.
The X2 had been ridden by over 16 million people since its 2003 reopening under the new name. In 2022, 22‑year‑old Christopher Hawley died after riding X2; his family settled a wrongful‑death suit with the park in August.
Attorney Brent Wisner of Wisner Baum LLP called the closure “not enough” and urged legal reform, proactive regulation and proper governmental oversight.
“We cannot rely on profit‑centered corporations to do the right thing only after enough people have been hurt,” Wisner said. “We hope whatever replaces the X2 is safe.”
