Six Flags Magic Mountain has reportedly shut down a roller coaster that has caused serious injuries and death to riders for years. The X2 has been closed since Sunday, July 12, as two women underwent brain surgery following ride on the roller coaster. Also, the closure comes years after a man died from riding the X2 back in 2022.
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Six Flags Roller Coaster Finally Shuts Down
Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, reportedly shut down the X2 on July 12, after two women required emergency brain surgery after riding the roller coaster, according to KTLA.
Pamela Guillen, 40, and 25-year-old Naomi Greer-Wilkinson rode the roller coaster within six days of each other and were injured, per KLTV. Additionally, both women experienced brain hemorrhages that required emergency brain surgery, and they both ended up in a coma.
Also, on Sunday, July 5, Guillen sustained a life-threatening brain injury after she hit her head on the headrest during the roller coaster ride. She reportedly lost consciousness after getting off the X2 and was rushed to the hospital. Surgeons immediately performed brain surgery. Ultimately, Guillen was unconscious for approximately two weeks. In addition, she also had to learn how to talk and walk again.
As said, Naomi Greer-Wilkinson suffered a brain hemorrhage from riding the X2. She is still in a coma and requires a ventilator to breathe.
Coaster Linked To Multiple Injuries Over The Years
An exposé by CNN revealed that multiple injuries have been attributed to the roller coaster, and several hospitalizations also occurred. Furthermore, a man also died after riding the roller coaster back in 2022. Six Flags documents recorded at least 70 neck and head injury complaints between 2019 and 2022. Nonetheless, the ride was not permanently closed until this year.
22-Year-Old Man Died After Riding Roller Coaster In 2022
The family of Christopher Hawley sued Six Flags Magic Mountain for wrongful death following his death from riding the coaster.
The 22-year-old was a graduate of San Diego State University, and he rode the X2 on June 23, 2022, with his brother and cousin. The two were sitting behind Hawley when all of the sudden the roller coaster stopped in a violent and abrupt manner. Afterward, Hawley said his head hurt as he held onto the rail, and he had trouble walking. He was rushed to the hospital where a CT scan showed a catastrophic right subdural hematoma. Hawley died the next day. His brother and cousin said the ride also made them hit their heads repeatedly and jolted them “like rag dolls.”
“We want to make sure that ride isn’t going to kill somebody else,” said Hawley’s father. “They won’t explain to us what happened. They’ve essentially gone dark. The only way we’ve been able to contact them is through our attorney.”
A settlement was reportedly reached this year. Years before, in 2010, a 28-year-old woman, Hilda Farias, also reportedly died after riding the roller coaster. She had a preexisting brain abnormality. However, doctors believe it ruptured because of the ride’s intensity. A wrongful death lawsuit was also settled for an undisclosed amount.
In the case of Guillen and Greer-Wilkinson, the surgeons stated that the roller coaster caused the brain injuries.
“In our professional opinion, the severe brain injuries requiring emergent neurosurgical attention were the result of a traumatic rapid acceleration-deceleration event experienced while on the X2 ride,” they noted.
