Six Flags rollercoaster lands two women in hospital with alarmingly similar brain injury

Key Points:

• Two women suffered severe brain hemorrhages after riding the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in July, prompting emergency neurosurgical treatment and raising concerns about the ride’s safety.
• The X2 coaster, known for its 4th-dimensional rotating seats and intense movements, has been linked to over a dozen serious injuries and two deaths in nearly two decades, yet it remained operational despite numerous complaints and lawsuits.
• Six Flags and state regulators have faced criticism for allowing the ride to continue operating after multiple traumatic brain injuries, with experts stating that such injuries should not be an expected risk from roller coasters and calling for comprehensive safety reviews.
• Internal park records revealed at least 70 prior head and neck injury complaints related to X2 in the three years before a 2022 fatality, but Six Flags has defended the ride in court, citing assumed risk warnings and compliance with industry safety standards.
• Recent victims and their families report inadequate responses from Six Flags, with some injured riders still suffering long-term disabilities, and advocates demanding the ride’s permanent closure to prevent further harm.