Six Flags Magic Mountain announced on Tuesday that the X2 roller coaster would be permanently closed, following a history of injuries and legal disputes. The decision comes after the ride was temporarily closed in July due to reports of back-to-back brain injuries.
Park officials stated that while the X2 consistently passed safety tests, the closure was implemented to prioritize guest confidence. Brian Oerding, president of Six Flags Magic Mountain, said in a statement, “Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously.”
The X2 originally opened as the X in 2002 before being redesigned and reopened as the X2 in 2008. The ride is known for its seats that spin forward and backward 360 degrees. Its history includes multiple closures: it was shut down months after opening in 2002 to address design flaws, and again in 2007 to replace trains with lighter models.
Family of Fatality Victim Reacts to Closure
Anne Hawley, whose son Christopher Hawley died in 2022 after riding the X2, expressed relief following the announcement. Christopher, then 22, lost consciousness after exiting the ride and later died. His family sued Six Flags Magic Mountain and settled the case in August.
Hawley stated, “We have tried for four years to do the best we can to spread awareness. They finally listened.”
Legal and Safety Context
The closure follows multiple lawsuits tied to brain injuries sustained on the X2. Hilda Farias, 28, died in 2010 after developing a brain bleed linked to the ride, according to court records. Other plaintiffs include Sheila Katerelos, who claimed a traumatic brain injury in 2020, and Lucy Alvarez, who reported a traumatic brain injury in 2021 that caused significant physical and mental suffering.
Six Flags has not publicly addressed whether the lawsuits influenced the decision beyond the statement emphasizing guest confidence and safety standards.