Six Flags Magic Mountain Permanently Closes X2 Coaster Amid Brain Injury Lawsuits

Six Flags Magic Mountain has announced the permanent retirement of its famous X2 roller coaster in Valencia, California. The decision to permanently close the attraction follows a wave of legal action and public scrutiny after over a hundred riders alleged the high-speed coaster caused them to suffer from severe, life-altering brain injuries.

The coaster, which reached speeds of 76 mph and featured 360-degree rotating seats, had already been out of service since mid-July following two separate instances where guests suffered life-threatening brain hemorrhages less than a week apart.

In an official statement addressing the shutdown, Magic Mountain Park President Brian Oerding emphasized that while the attraction met internal standards, public trust played a major role in the decision to retire it:

"While X2 consistently passed a multitude of safety tests, we have decided to close the ride because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously."

"Since X2 opened in 2008, it has welcomed more than 16 million guests and earned a passionate following among ride enthusiasts. We recognize the special place X2 holds in the coaster community, and we are grateful to our team members who operated and maintained it throughout its run."

The closure comes on the heels of numerous civil lawsuits filed against the amusement park. Legal representatives and news investigations have linked the ride to at least two fatalities including 28-year-old Hilda Farias in 2010 and 22-year-old Christopher Hawley in 2022 alongside a surge of recent emergency hospitalizations.

Lawyers from the Dordick Law Corporation, who represent several plaintiffs including Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, who required emergency surgery and remains in critical condition, stated they have been contacted by roughly 400 individuals reporting injuries from the ride, noting:

"They got on X2 expecting a thrill. Instead, they left with catastrophic brain injuries. Some needed emergency brain surgery. Some are still fighting to get their lives back."

Attorneys representing Hawley’s family, who settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the park in August, expressed relief at the shutdown but insisted that more regulatory accountability is needed: "it does nothing for the people who have already been hurt".

Originally launching in 2002 as "X," the coaster was plagued with early mechanical issues and was temporarily shut down to fix design problems. It was revamped and rebranded as X2 in 2008 featuring lighter train cars, eventually carrying over 16 million passengers over its lifespan.

As the park moves on from X2, Magic Mountain is currently planning for its next major addition, the Thrill Glider, set to open in 2027.