The famous X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, located in Valencia just north of Los Angeles, is closing its doors forever after almost 20 years of operation. The announcement of the definitive closure came from the top of the structure through the voice of president Brian Oerding, after the attraction, opened in 2008 and capable of welcoming over 16 million visitors with its dizzying descents and seats rotating 360 degrees at up to 130 kilometers per hour, ended up at the center of a judicial cyclone.
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The decision was triggered by dramatic complaints submitted by the families of two women who were seriously injured in July: Pamela Guillen, 40, suffered a severe subdural hematoma and brain compression that required emergency surgery with the removal of part of her skull, while 25-year-old Naomi Greer-Wilkinson fell into a coma for weeks after losing consciousness on the carousel, also undergoing brain surgery and losing the ability to speak or breathe independently. Added to these events is the tragic death of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley, which occurred in 2022 and was recently closed with a legal agreement between the company and the manufacturer S&S Worldwide, in addition to the lawsuit brought by 56-year-old Sheila Katerelos, who claims to have suffered a traumatic injury in 2020.
The reasons for the park and the legal action of the Dordick Law firm
Faced with an unprecedented trail of drama and controversy, the park management decided to intervene drastically. President Brian Oerding said that although the facility has passed numerous safety tests over the years, permanent retirement is the only right choice to protect visitor confidence and restore serenity within the amusement area.
Meanwhile, the legal situation is becoming increasingly burdensome for the Six Flags company: the law firm Dordick Law, which assists Naomi Greer-Wilkinson’s family, confirmed that it has been contacted by over 100 people complaining of similar injuries after having tackled the route. According to attorney Christopher Bulone, the architecture and design of the attraction are inherently dangerous in a way that no passenger could have ever predicted. As the parent company remains silent about the ongoing proceedings, the park is preparing to face another legal battle next year, ending the era of one of California’s most extreme and controversial attractions.
