Six Flags Magic Mountain Closes X2 Rollercoaster after Brain Injury Allegations

Six Flags Magic Mountain, an amusement park in California, has announced it will permanently close a popular rollercoaster after hundreds of riders alleged they suffered brain injuries.

The X2 rollercoaster, once a flagship attraction, features spinning seats and long queues; it has been closed since July after reports of riders experiencing serious brain injuries.

Six Flags said the ride had passed a range of safety tests but decided to retire it because “the right thing to do.” The decision follows lawsuits and news reports that hundreds of riders sustained brain injuries after riding X2.

Dordick Law Corporation, representing some plaintiffs, said it had been contacted by hundreds of people who alleged they had injuries they believed were caused by the ride, saying: “They got on X2 expecting a thrill. Instead, they left with catastrophic brain injuries.”

Announcing the closure on Tuesday, Park President Brian Oerding said: “Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.”

The firm noted that while it welcomes the closure, it does nothing for those already hurt. The X2 had first opened in 2002, closed months later for design flaws, and was renamed X2 in 2004 after train replacements.

It reopened the following year and has been ridden by more than 16 million people. A law firm representing the family of 22‑year‑old Christopher Hawley, who died after riding X2 in 2022, said the closure was not enough, calling for legal reform and better oversight.

“The tragedy cannot be undone,” attorney Brent Wisner said, “and we hope whatever replaces the X2 is safe.”