Six Flags Magic Mountain has permanently retired the X2 coaster after multiple lawsuits alleged the ride caused traumatic brain injuries and a 2022 wrongful death. Park officials said the decision was voluntary despite the ride passing safety tests, pointing to diminished guest confidence. X2 operated for 18 years and served more than 16 million riders; several reported injuries and an ongoing California occupational-safety investigation prompted renewed scrutiny. The legal turmoil has coincided with declining attendance and a larger quarterly loss for Six Flags.
Six Flags Permanently Retires X2 Coaster After Lawsuits Alleging Brain Injuries and Wrongful Death
Jacque Marquez and Sarah Martinez, were one of the first riders to experience X2 during X2 Media Day At Six Flags Magic Mountain on May 22, 2008.
Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the permanent retirement of the X2 roller coaster following a series of lawsuits alleging the ride caused traumatic brain injuries and a wrongful death. Park leadership said the decision was voluntary, citing concerns about guest confidence even though the attraction "consistently passed a multitude of safety tests."
X2 Background
Introduced in 2008, X2 became known for its innovative design: seats that rotate 360 degrees forward or backward independent of the track. Over 18 years of operation the ride was ridden by more than 16 million guests and reached speeds up to 76 mph, subjecting riders to rapid acceleration and deceleration.
Brian Oerding, President of Six Flags Magic Mountain: "We are voluntarily retiring X2 because we believe it's the right thing to do."
Legal And Safety Concerns
Six Flags settled a wrongful-death lawsuit stemming from a 2022 incident in which a 22-year-old man collapsed after riding X2 and died the following day; authorities ruled the death an accident caused by blunt-force head trauma. Earlier this year, two riders sustained brain injuries in July just days apart, prompting a temporary shutdown of the ride after the second incident.
Reporting from CNN identified more than a dozen reported injuries and hospitalizations related to X2. In those reports, three neurosurgeons attributed the July brain injuries to extreme gravitational forces generated by the coaster. A California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) investigation into the ride is open and ongoing.
Business Impact And Public Reaction
Six Flags has faced declining attendance and profitability during the legal fallout. In its most recent quarter the company logged 13.1 million visits, a 7% year-over-year decline, and reported a net loss of $203 million—more than double the loss from the same quarter a year earlier. On social media, opinions were split: some users urged permanent closure given the publicly documented injuries, while others argued riders assume risk and should follow safety instructions.
What Comes Next
Six Flags has not announced plans for the X2 site or whether any components will be repurposed. The company and state investigators continue to review the incidents and legal claims; the outcome of the Cal/OSHA investigation and related litigation may influence future safety standards for high-intensity coasters.
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