Six Flags is bidding an unceremonious farewell to the X2 roller coaster, which has claimed the lives of two people and forced another rider to undergo emergency brain surgery.
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According to a CNN investigation, two women who rode the X2 coaster six days apart both lost consciousness and ended up in surgery with similar brain hemorrhages of a type that's "typically associated with high-speed collisions."
Three neurosurgeons who treated the women declared in an email, "the severe brain injuries requiring emergent neurosurgical attention were the result of a traumatic rapid acceleration-deceleration event experienced while on the X2 ride."
Injured Six Flags Visitor Remains in Coma
The second of the two riders is currently in a coma. Stunningly, Six Flags has reportedly only offered the injured rider a food voucher.
Her father ripped Six Flags brass for keeping the ride open after her injury, telling CNN that the company has "a lot to answer for."
CNN's investigation also revealed an extensive injury history associated with the troubled ride.
There have been dozens of injuries and hospitalizations since the ride opened in 2002. Tragically, two people died shortly after riding the roller coaster.
In June 2022, 22-year-old Christopher Hawley collapsed and lost consciousness shortly after riding X2 with his brother and cousin.
He died from a traumatic brain injury the following day.
Six Flags Shuts Down World's First 4-D Ride
Located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, the X2 is the world's first fourth-dimension roller coaster.
Described by the theme park as "a rite of passage for the ultimate daredevil," the roller coaster spans 3610 feet. X2 has a peak of 200 feet and a max speed of 76 miles per hour.
On the Six Flags official website, the ride's description issues a daunting warning to park visitors.
"Flamethrowers and all, X2 is carefully designed to keep you in total sensory overload the entire ride," the description reads. "Feel your sense of direction disappear as you fly through an unreal assortment of dives."
Six Flags has not yet disclosed whether the ride will be deconstructed to make room for a new attraction.
