Six Flags Magic Mountain has permanently closed its X2 roller coaster following civil lawsuits and public allegations from hundreds of riders who claim they suffered brain injuries on the 360-degree spinning attraction. Park President Brian Oerding announced the closure on Tuesday, stating that guest confidence required action despite the ride passing multiple safety evaluations.
Lawsuits and Safety Allegations Behind the Closure
The Southern California theme park retired the high-thrill ride after months of scrutiny and litigation. The X2 has remained closed since July. Dordick Law Corporation, a firm representing multiple plaintiffs in civil lawsuits against the park, stated that clients experienced severe medical consequences after boarding. “They got on X2 expecting a thrill. Instead, they left with catastrophic brain injuries,” the firm said, adding that some individuals required emergency brain surgery and face long recoveries.
While the law firm welcomed the decision to protect future visitors, it argued that the move arrived too late for existing victims. “Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously,” Brian Oerding said in a statement.
History of Modifications and Past Incidents on X2
Originally opened in 2002 under the name X, the attraction has a lengthy history of engineering overhauls and closures. The Los Angeles Times reported that the ride shut down just months after its initial debut to correct structural design flaws. In 2007, the park closed the attraction a second time to install lighter trains. It reopened in 2008 as X2, carrying more than 16 million passengers over the subsequent years, according to Six Flags data.
The legal pressure extends beyond injury claims to fatal incidents. Wisner Baum LLP represented the family of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley, who died following a ride on the X2 in 2022. Hawley’s family reached a settlement with the theme park in August.
“While the Hawley family is 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,” Brent Wisner said. He advocated for stricter governmental oversight and proactive regulation, asserting that profit-driven corporations should not wait for injuries and fatalities to pull dangerous rides offline.
Frequently Asked Questions About the X2 Closure
Why did Six Flags Magic Mountain close the X2 roller coaster?
Six Flags closed the ride permanently following civil lawsuits and allegations from hundreds of riders who reported sustaining brain injuries. Park President Brian Oerding noted that guest confidence had been impacted.
When was the X2 roller coaster originally built?
The ride first opened in 2002 as “X,” underwent major train replacements in 2007, and reopened as “X2” in 2008.
Have there been fatalities associated with the ride?
Yes. Attorney Brent Wisner of Wisner Baum LLP represented the family of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley, who died after riding X2. The family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the park in August.
How many people rode the attraction?
According to park figures, more than 16 million guests rode X2 since its 2008 relaunch.