Six Flags Magic Mountain announced Tuesday that it is permanently closing its popular X2 roller coaster, which has been closed since July following several hospitalizations linked to the attraction.
The decision comes amid three lawsuits claiming that riders sustained severe brain injuries after riding the coaster. More than 100 people have reportedly come forward with claims of traumatic brain injuries connected to X2 within the past two years.
The ride was taken out of operation on July 12, 2026, after two women were hospitalized with severe brain injuries just six days apart. Pamela Guillen, 40, is among the people involved in the lawsuits. She rode X2 on July 5 and required emergency brain surgery. She has since reported ongoing headaches and brain fog and takes medication to help prevent seizures related to the injury.
Six days later, 26-year-old Naomi Greer-Wilkinson rode X2 and reportedly fell unconscious after exiting the attraction. She was taken to the same hospital where Guillen was being treated. Greer-Wilkinson underwent several surgeries to relieve pressure on her brain and remains confined to a bed and barely conscious, according to reports. Her injuries are also the subject of one of the lawsuits.
Another lawsuit involves Los Angeles attorney Michael Wilk, who says he suffered significant bleeding in his brain after riding X2 in February. He underwent multiple surgeries and says severe headaches, memory loss, and brain fog have prevented him from continuing to practice law.
The lawsuits allege that X2’s design “makes it inherently dangerous.”
The roller coaster first opened as X in 2002, then reopened as X2 in 2008 after a revamp. Its unique design places riders on either side of the track, with seats capable of rotating 360 degrees during the ride. The coaster reaches 76 mph, climbs 200 feet, and features 3,610 feet of track.
In a statement, Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President Brian Oerding said the ride consistently passed safety tests but that the company ultimately decided to retire it because “it’s the right thing to do.”
Read Oerding’s full statement:
After almost 20 years, we have decided to permanently retire X2.
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.
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.
Our purpose is to create FUN, thrills and a lifetime of memories by creating unforgettable experiences that are underpinned by comprehensive safety policies. To learn more about our ride safety program, visit our website at Ride Safety at Six Flags.
Brian Oerding
Six Flags Magic Mountain Park President
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