Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently closes X2 roller coaster after rider brain injuries
Six Flags Magic Mountain has permanently retired its X2 roller coaster in California after more than 100 riders reported traumatic brain injuries and state regulators opened an inquiry.
Permanent closure after medical reports
Six Flags Magic Mountain announced on 29 September 2026 that it has permanently decommissioned the X2 roller coaster at its theme park in Valencia, California. The ride had been closed since 12 July 2026 following reports of severe neurological injuries suffered by multiple visitors. Park officials stated that the attraction consistently passed regulatory safety tests but was retired to address concerns over rider confidence.
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.
Magic Mountain president Brian Oerding noted that ride safety remains a cornerstone of the company and that management takes guest confidence seriously.
Hospitalizations and legal actions
The permanent shutdown follows the hospitalization of two women who rode X2 six days apart in July 2026. Rider Pamela Guillen visited the park for her daughter's 16th birthday, became disoriented after the ride, and spent nearly a month in the hospital after emergency brain surgery and two weeks in a coma. Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, a 25-year-old Los Angeles resident, lost consciousness shortly after riding and remains hospitalized in a semi-conscious state.
Three neurosurgeons who treated the riders stated that the traumatic brain injuries resulted from rapid acceleration-deceleration events typically associated with high-speed collisions. Attorneys Gary Dordick and Christopher Bulone of Dordick Law Corporation filed civil lawsuits against Six Flags and train manufacturer S&S Worldwide. The law firm stated that more than 100 riders have contacted them alleging varying degrees of brain trauma experienced on the coaster over the past two years.
History and technical design
X2 originally opened on 12 January 2002 under the name X as the world's first fourth-dimension roller coaster. The 1,100-meter steel track reached a height of 58 meters, maximum speeds of 122 kilometers per hour (76 mph), and gravitational forces up to four times gravity. Its seats rotated independently up to 360 degrees on a transversal axis during the two-minute and 34-second ride.
- Roller coaster opens under the original name X at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Coaster closes for redesign to install lighter train cars
- Ride reopens as X2 with lighter trains and new special effects
- Christopher Hawley dies one day after riding X2
- Ride closes following severe brain injuries to two riders within six days
- Six Flags settles wrongful death lawsuit with Christopher Hawley's family
- Six Flags Magic Mountain announces permanent retirement of X2
The ride closed months after its 2002 opening to correct design flaws and closed again in 2007 to install lighter trains. It reopened under the X2 name in 2008 with added special effects, including flamethrowers. According to Six Flags, more than 16 million people rode the attraction between its 2008 reopening and its July 2026 closure.
Safety inquiries and earlier settlements
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health opened an official inquiry into X2 following the July 2026 hospitalizations. Investigations identified more than a dozen reports of serious injuries, hospitalizations, and at least two deaths linked to the coaster over its two decades in service.
In late August 2026, Six Flags reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the family of Christopher Hawley. The 22-year-old San Diego State University graduate died from a right subdural hematoma one day after riding X2 in June 2022. The case had been scheduled to go to trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court in September 2026 before the settlement was completed.
